In a change of pace (and indeed everything else) from the previous week’s Video Vault entries, I wanted to discuss a film I first watched later on in my teenage years, where my appreciation of a broader and diverse range of cinema was forming, and I was able to balance that with my interests in other, more obvious genres.

The film in question is 1992’s modern noir, One False Move. Written by and co-starring the then virtually unknown Billy Bob Thornton, it’s a quietly intense and absorbing character study, starring 80’s favourite Bill Paxton in the lead. The film failed to find much of an audience on its initial US cinema release (more on this below) but it’s gained much praise since then, and deservedly so.

Paxton plays Sheriff Dale “Hurricane” Dixon in small town Star City, Arkansas. A well-respected and loved family man, he finds himself (much to his delight) teaming up with two LAPD detectives as they await the arrival of three criminals en route to the town who have previously committed a number of vicious drug-related murders in Los Angeles. Thornton plays one of trio alongside Michael Beach and Cynda Williams, the latter who grow up in the town and whose estranged family are bringing up her own little boy.

After a shockingly violent opening scene which sees Thornton and Beach acquire the drugs and money through sheer brute force, (so bad in fact, that I clearly remember my Mum’s horrified reaction when she walked into my room as this was playing out) the film finds its pace when the two detectives arrive at Star City.

There’s an unrushed and leisurely flow to this reversed fish-out-of-water scenario, as the Los Angeles law enforcers adjust to the lifestyle and procedures of a small town sheriff and his department. Paxton even admits to the two (during a relaxed evening of food and drink in his backyard) that he’s never even had to draw his gun in the six years he’s been sheriff. While this part of the narrative is playing out, there is a creeping feeling of dread and tension (one of the film’s great strengths) as we await the arrival of the criminals (who have also killed during their journey), and the inevitable violent and messy showdown. Without spoiling the end, the viewer is left in doubt as to fate of one of the main characters, but a beautifully-judged closure (of sorts) is reached.

In a film packed with strong and naturalistic performances, Paxton asserts himself extremely well in what was his first proper role as a leading man. It’s fascinating to watch his cocky demeanour being slowly stripped away as he begins to realise the potential severity of the situation (which has none of the glamour he initially perceived), while he also comes to terms with a past indiscretion which may have a big implication within the case.

Thornton is also great here, completely at ease in playing a character that lacks any notable redeeming features. His grubby, rat-tailed appearance is worlds away from his now surgically-enhanced position as wannabe Hollywood matinee idol. It’s a shame too, as this is the kind of role that really plays to his strengths, the likes of which are even more evident in has compelling, vanity-free performance in Sam Raimi’s criminally underrated A Simple Plan (which also features Paxton).

According to IMDB, One False Move was initially intended for a direct to video release (a crime in itself!) but apparently due to strong word-of-mouth (the late prominent US critic Gene Siskel voted it his favourite film of 1992), it managed to find a limited cinema distribution, where it went on the earn a little over  $1m. It never showed up on screens over here.

I’m glad that the film found success through it’s afterlife on video. This was truly the beauty of the local rental shop back then (bearing in mind, this was also the pre-internet age where there was little in the way of film referencing). There is something to be said about having the means of seeking out films in that era in a more intimate and tangible way – a far cry from the world of the huge volumes of unimaginative DTV titles which seem to crop up in their thousands on a weekly basis nowadays.

Look at me getting all wistful and nostalgic! I think it’s time to dig out some of those old VHS titles I have in storage.

Errr….does anyone have a player I could borrow?

One False Move is available on Region 2. You can view a trailer here.