Franklin's convincing portrait of life on both sides of the color line isn't quite like anything I've come across before, making One False Move one very assured directorial move. We need more filmmakers like him.
One False Move
There was no crime in Star City, Arkansas. No murder. And no fear. Until now.
1991 · 1h 45m · R
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Directed by
Carl Franklin
Overview
Following a series of drug deals and murders, three criminals -- Fantasia, Ray Malcolm and Pluto -- travel from Los Angeles to Houston, finally arriving in a small Arkansas town to go into hiding. Two detectives from the LAPD, who are already on the case, contact the town's sheriff, Dale Dixon, to alert him of the fugitives' presence in the area. Underestimating Dixon, the criminals have no idea what they are about to face.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
For most of the way, One False Move is taut and sure-footed.
Skillfully performed and welcomely unpredictable, this low-budget crime film, made by actor turned director Carl Franklin, starts out as a herky-jerky exploitation piece, then turns into something better.
Everything about this movie -- the terse writing, the concise directing, the smart, unaffected acting -- is eminently satisfying.
The biggest difference between One False Move and most other action films is the sting in its violence. There is so little stylization here -- so little gimmickry -- that when someone is shot or knifed, you feel it.
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