Safe (1995)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 119 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / United States
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Stars: Julianne Moore, Xander Berkeley and Dean Norris
IMDb score:
7,1 (19.397)
Releasedate: 23 June 1995
Safe plot
"In the 21st century nobody will be… Safe."
Carol White (Julianne Moore) is a housewife in Los Angeles. She becomes ill inexplicably from one day to the next. She doesn't know why or what illness is holding her in her grip. It turns out that she has suddenly become allergic to seemingly harmless chemicals that can be found in everyone's kitchen cupboard. All the things that seemed to keep her life in order, such as the smell of cleaning products and the powder in the dishwasher, turn into her worst enemy. She has a disease that affects her immune system. In New Mexico, she seeks treatment. Carol is at a loss as her physical threats force her to think about who she is and what is important to her. She is no longer safe in her created environment and she no longer knows who she is.
Actors and actresses
Carol White
Peter Dunning
Greg White
Chris
Linda
Claire
Nell
Dr. Hubbard
Susan
Marilyn
Reviews & comments
flaphead
-
- 878 messages
- 995 votes
I've seen few films as slow as this one. A slow film only survives if other factors are sublime, like the dialogue, atmosphere, or suspense. Unfortunately, none of those three were there. And so it becomes a very tough watch. Watching a spoiled, bored, rich housewife doesn't help either, of course. It just didn't resonate with me at all.
The second half offers some interesting clues to make the film interesting, but the story remains superficial. The decision to tackle social themes like pollution and disease would have benefited from more depth. It just flows. Moore gives a decent performance, but the lackluster quality makes it barely noticeable.
The ending is, of course, terrible. After two hours of filming at this pace, you really don't want an open ending. It definitely leaves it too empty. Very disappointing.
Translated from Dutch · View original
tbouwh
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- 5839 messages
- 5436 votes
"Are You Allergic to the 21st Century?" could easily be the subtitle for a future sequel to "Safe," the debut film by American filmmaker Todd Haynes (Far From Heaven, Carol). This sultry masterpiece posed the same question about the 20th century in 1995, surely anticipating future symptoms.
Julianne Moore plays Carol White, a shy housewife who lives in an above-average apartment in Los Angeles with her husband, Greg (Xander Berkeley). The regularity of that ordinary life is threatened when Carol experiences unusual symptoms. Suddenly, she becomes allergic to numerous substances people encounter daily, from the exhaust fumes of city traffic to the chemicals in her kitchen cupboard.
Translated from Dutch · View original
El Loco
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- 1273 messages
- 2521 votes
"Safe" is a rather slow film, but in retrospect, that bothered me least in the first half. We meet Carol, who gradually begins to suffer from coughing fits, shortness of breath, and all sorts of allergic reactions. It's here, in particular, that the film remains captivating, with the building tension surrounding Carol's illness.
Once we arrive at the commune, the film takes a serious tumble. Carol continues to decline and becomes increasingly isolated, despite her own admission that she's doing better. It never really became interesting again, and I found myself checking the clock several times, which is never a good sign.
It must be said that Julianne Moore gives a fantastic performance here. She portrays the fear of everything happening to her in a very convincing way. The good first half and Moore's performance ultimately ensure a passing grade.
3*
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