Customer Reviews

Safe House [Import]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With the long-running James Bond franchise now disintegrating into simple body-counts-and-explosions action fare, it really is good to see a proper espionage thriller that was filmed in the same vein as the classic Sean Connery (or even early Roger Moore) Bond protrayals.

This one has a twist; our protagonist is British and equipped with charm by the truckload...but he's also quite possibly crazier than a ...rat.

The beauty of this movie is that from the very beginning you're aware that there is definitely SOMETHING going on...you're just not sure what. The plot moves on through the eyes of someone who might not necessarily be seeing reality as clearly as he should; is this man, merely eccentric? Is he completely insane? Or is he...well, who and what he says he is?

Patrick Stewart is just fantastic. He's definitely not one to spend his time traveling from one Star Trek convention to another now that his time serving the small screen franchise of Gene Roddenberry's "generational" vision is done. His propensity for bombast and overacting that he brought to "A Christmas Carol" isn't found here; he does a fantastic job relaying the problems experienced by a man for whom the borders or reality seem to be in various stages of dissipation. You don't know whether to laugh or cry at times.

And the supporting cast plays off of him brilliantly. It's obviously Stewart's show, but the interaction with characters whose attitudes range from enabling to pessimistic to completely disbelieving (and questionably sinister) makes for an intense viewing experience. How far will things go? How far will Stewart's character go? What is real and what is fabrication? It's a terrific ride, a truly engaging thriller that Cubby Broccoli (or Alfred Hitchcock) himself would have been proud to direct.

This movie didn't seem to get much acclaim, but I found it surprisingly good. The plot was original, there was humour, suspense and a twist ending. It also illustrated the real issue of dealing with alzheimers disease. Patrick Stewart played his role very well as did Kimberly Williams Paisley who plays his care giver. Watch it, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I must admit I thought this movie was going to be hokey when I purchased it. I purchased it strictly for Patrick Stewart since I've been a fan of his for years. Surprisingly, the movie is great and of course Stewart is great in it. I highly recommend the film to those who are also Stewart fans and to those who enjoy a film that is a little off beat and not too predictable. It is comical, suspenseful, and touching all at the same time.

Actually, I don't have the DVD...I just saw this movie last night on one of the Showtime channels.

I don't think much of most alleged "movies" which have been produced in the last 20 years or so. The definitive lack of acting ability in either the male or female "stars" is probably the greatest reason for this.

Special effects and "action" scenarios can only do so much to qualify as entertainment, even for young, juvenile viewers. For viewers who have seen much better products (those of us who are beyond the age of 30), there really should be more to something that calls itself a "theatrical product." (For the record, I am currently 55, nearly 56.)

I believe that Patrick Stewart provides these qualities in SAFE HOUSE. In fact, it was a movie that I was determined NOT to even watch (after the first few moments)...but I decided to stick around and was pleasantly surprised.

Different persons "see" different things in anything that is worthy of being called a "work of art", whether this is a book, a movie, a sculptor, a painting, etc. I believe that a true work of art does more than merely sate the senses with its artistry...it also prompts certain intellectual faculties in the viewer who is looking at the world with something more than the escapist boredom which afflicts so many.

What I see in SAFE HOUSE...is a movie that starts off looking like one thing...and transitions into several different entertainment and educational devices. At the conclusion of the movie, I decided that I would buy it because I think it merits what is "special" treatment by me.

This movie starts off as an apparent farce...the antics of PS cannot be taken seriously by anyone who watches the first 15 minutes or so.

Then, with (what I thought was) clever technique, the viewer is given the opportunity to educate himself/herself JUST A LITTLE BIT about a serious condition for many persons (Alheimer's Disease) and what each of us might possibly have to face as the final price for being successful at living: growing older to the point of resenting the loss of faculties which we have taken for granted for soooo long.

(It kind of reminded me of what I felt as I watched ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, without being like that movie at all.)

BTW: This is what a good dramatic effort is SUPPOSED to do...arouse the emotions AND the intellect of the viewer.

Arousing emotion itself does not take any particular talent...your wife, your husband, your children, etc...have done this all your life as they manipulate you to achieve their goals (smile). All of the "Lassie" movies do so. And so on....

But to arouse emotions AND to educate or stimulate the impulse to learn...this is no easy feat.

And then...just when I thought that I had this movie categoried...it changed again to an entertaining mystery, complete with the violence which attends such oftentimes.

The movie owes it's credibility to the efforts of the male star and the female star. The plot is good, but it takes true actors/actresses to pull it off.

I heartily recommend viewing this movie (in any version) to anyone who is looking for something more than the mundane escapism which treats us all as if we grew up with computer toys and know nothing at all about "real acting."

Louis