One False Move 1991

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: Mixing moments of genuine terror with offbeat comedy, writers Tom Epperson and Thornton have created a script that jumps along with the energy of In Cold Blood. Read more

Peter Rainer, Los Angeles Times: For most of the way, One False Move is taut and sure-footed. Read more

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel: 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. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: Everything about this movie -- the terse writing, the concise directing, the smart, unaffected acting -- is eminently satisfying. Read more

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times: 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. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: Mr. Franklin's measured pacing and James L. Carter's meticulous cinematography give One False Move a clear, bold, angular look reminiscent of many other nouveau noir films, especially Blood Simple, the one that put the Coen brothers on the map. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: There's plenty to be impressed by while watching this 1992 noirish thriller, cowritten by Tom Epperson and directed by Carl Franklin, but not a great deal of aftertaste. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A sardonic and explosive crooks-on-the-lam saga in the tradition of Bonnie and Clyde. Read more

Michael Sragow, New Yorker: 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. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Here is a crime movie that lifts you up and carries you along in an ominously rising tide of tension, building to an emotional payoff of amazing power. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: One of the finest American movies in recent years. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Working for the most part in straightforward style, director Carl Franklin achieves considerable suspense by pitting the frailties of each party against the other. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: One False Move is a thriller with a hair-trigger sense of tension. Directed by newcomer Carl Franklin, its power comes from the stripped-down simplicity of its style and the unblinking savagery of its violence. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: It's an eerie and horrifying experience, ably directed by newcomer Carl Franklin. It's also unsettlingly compelling, even at its most conventional moments. Read more