Safety Not Guaranteed (DVD)

Safety Not Guaranteed is a 2012 American romantic comedy film directed by Colin Trevorrow; In this film, three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel.Whew boy…..Where do I even start? The tone of this entire film is best summarized as being the embodiment of a brooding lack of desire that has been forced to personify itself. Our main protagonist - who, outside of being conventionally attractive really isn't that likable - is introduced as being an angsty teenager trapped in an adult’s body, and she really doesn't change all that much over the course of the film. The real kicker, however, is the fact that this film tries to /convince/ you that she is developing in some way through the use of some ultimately tacky dialogue and even cheesier non-verbal interactions.Perhaps the worst thing about this movie is how much juice was squeezed out of the joke regarding the main character possibly being mentally ill. To a certain extent I can understand why these implications can be funny - because, the possibility of this character being “insane” is quite logical given the context - but it was one of the only explanations used to explain Kenneth’s eccentric behavior. In addition to this, this narrative was so forcibly integrated that it was impossible to appreciate the depth of the relationship that develops between Darius and Kenneth; every moment that could have been potentially heartwarming which then could have added more dimension to the overall plot was rudely excavated by the stop sign that is the joke about Kenneth’s current state of mind.I will give this film props for at least having a storyline that is gleaming with originality, but the overall execution is tainted by writing that reflects some amount of laziness and disorganization. There are ultimately two separate stories happening at the same time - which both have a theme related to reflecting on the past - but the amount of attention given to each of them does not reflect the emotions I imagine the director wants the separate characters to make us feel when the ending is reached. None of the overarching stories genuinely feel “concluded”, and there are still so many elements (Like, as mentioned before, questions about Kenneth’s mental health) that are simply left dangling in mid-air. The intentions are clear, and the opportunity to reflect on moments passed that are filled with regret is one worth taking when given the chance;Regardless, ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ manages to be both too much and too little all at the same time.It’s not my cup of tea, but it might be yours.

This is a charming, low budget comedy. The script is spot on in capturing the three needy individuals sent by a trendy magazine to investigate a very peculiar ad in the personals column. The story is captivating, the characters are fun, and the viewer really appreciates the fact that the movie never descends into “creepy” territory. In fact, there is a rather sweet turn of events when the thirty-something reporter—sent on this quest with two weird interns— uses the road trip to rekindle a torrid teenage fling.The movie is dominated, though, by Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) who is absolutely perfect in the role of the angst filled, brooding, millennial oddball caught in an adult world for which she in no way prepared. (Basically the same character she played on Parks and Rec., but she does it sooooo well.) she is engaging and really funny in a role tailor made for her.This is one of those really good, under appreciated gems one stumbles across on Netflix and then rewatches several times over the next week. I put this in the same basket with “That Thing You Do”. They are in no way similar, but they are both pleasant, engrossing films that are easy, low stress views.

Fun, enjoyable, quirky, rather light in tone, well-written and acted science fiction romantic comedy. I really enjoyed it, it kept me guessing until the end, has a little action but is not violent, has an interesting ending, and I loved the cast. The film centers on Darius Britt (played by Aubrey Plaza), a recent college graduate working as an intern at Seattle Magazine. One of the reporters/writers there, Jeff Schwensen (played by Jake Johnson) proposes that he write a story on a strange newspaper ad in the classifieds, one that reads (copied and pasted from Wikipedia just to be honest, making sure I get it right):Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. P.O. Box 91 Ocean View, WA 99393. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED.Jeff’s boss approves, Jeff selects Darius (who volunteers) and a young man named Arnau (played by Karan Soni) as assistants, and they all head off to Ocean View to find the person who wrote the classified. While Arnau and Darius do a stake out of the PO Box in hopes of finding the person who wrote the ad, Jeff tracks down Liz, a woman he had a brief relationship with in high school. Jeff, already apparently kind of a lazy, not really passionate writer, is so involved in finding and spending time with Liz – and Darius has such success with their eventual contact – that most everything falls on Darius’ shoulders.Darius (with some help from Arnau at first), finds that the classified was written by Kenneth Calloway (played by Mark Duplass) and ingratiates herself (largely by being herself) with Kenneth, intrigued by this interesting, eccentric, but charismatic man she starts to fall for. Can he really travel through time? Why would he want to? If Darius can go to the past, why would she go he asks?The rest of the movie deals with exploring Darius’ and Kenneth’s relationship, often more time spent on that than the time machine (which is understandable, as it is assumed the time machine won’t work or doesn’t exist and Kenneth is both the story and the main interest of Darius). There are occasional interludes of following Jeff and his relationship with Liz, some of Jeff’s boss calling for updates and why the story is taking so long, and Jeff trying to get the very studious Arnau to relax and at least go on a date if not lose his virginity.I liked how we don’t really get in Kenneth’s head so right to the end we wonder if he is insane or somehow not typical mentally. Aubrey Plaza’s droll, borderline cynical, daring to be hopeful when she can let her guard down performance was great and her humor was nice, understated and enjoyable. The character of Arnau was largely played very straight but like Darius it was great when he could let his guard down a bit and be himself, showing both a relatable uncertainty and a kind wit. I don’t watch a lot of romantic comedies and it was good to see such an incredibly atypical one. There were a few genuinely laugh out loud scenes but it is definitely a film with mostly pretty subtle humor.Jeff’s character almost didn’t fit, he was the “party on bro let’s get laid” type but the rest of the film seemed to constrain him, as it was all either more intelligent or just at a higher level, though his character did allow Darius to get close to Kenneth and to propel Arnau forward a bit (not quite a manic pixie dream girl but I guess the bro equivalent).A really good movie! I highly recommend it.

Inspired by an actual newspaper classified advert and with a massive nod to HG Wells’ The Time Machine, this delightfully whimsical low-key kind-hearted comedy has a beguiling charm barely covering a touching underlying poignancy. Set in contemporary times we find ourselves accompanying a cynical thirtysomething Seattle magazine reporter and two interns as they arrive in a small seaside resort searching for the person who placed an advert in their magazine inviting the right applicant to accompany him on a trip to the past, a journey that he had only completed once before. The beauty of this movie is that we are never quite sure where the narrative is leading since grocery clerk and time-traveler Kenneth (similar to Kevin Spacey’s ‘prot’ in the 2001 film K-PAX) is unnervingly convincing, so much so that one of the interns agrees to accompany him back to the year 2001. Mark Duplass’ sublime performance as the eccentric and paranoid Kenneth (who are those Men-in-Black types?) is matched by that of Aubrey Plaza as the engaging yet vulnerable intern who has her own reasons for returning to that year. There are some marvelous scenes such as the pair stealing equipment from a laboratory in order to complete the construction of the Heath Robinson time machine, intern Karan Soni’s observations regarding Star Wars Stormtroopers, and Jake Johnson’s deceptively subtle performance as the blunt journalist coping with a journey into his own past. For me, the ending is completely unexpected and totally satisfying. A gem of a movie.

I've seen this a couple of times, and purchased it because it holds up so well to repeat viewings.It's humorous and poignant and quirky, and very underrated.If that's the type of movie you like then I'd highly recommend this little gem.

Well I loved that. I know many people aren't going to like it. It was so off kilter. One of the actors is in New Girl (which is a collection of narcissistic creeps) in that you are supposed to like him, in this he is just a flawed creep and that works. The two leads work well, the subplots head more into cliche. I like the fact that films like this are made.

Brought this as was luckiy in first place to catch a showing on tv. Got fed up with looking for re-runs and decided to buy this copy instea. I envy anyone seeing it for the first time, but I've already watched a couple of times now. Its funny, touching and romantic, with some sci-fi as well - what's not to like? Enjoy.

Really quaint and sweet and enjoyable. Two misfits find each other to go on an improbable journey.Well written, acted, directed and produced.Characters are really vivid and contrasting.Very well done and tight story.