Safe Movie Review

Safe is an unforgettable viewing experience in a theatre. I don't know that I'd want to see it on the small screen, though. Writer/director Todd Haynes makes no concession to his film's eventual release on video. Protagonist Carol is frequently shown in extreme long shots, the better to emphasize how engulfed she is by the threatening environment. This perspective works wonderfully well as Carol's health is drained away from her and she seeks increasingly radical solutions over the course of two hours. Do try to see Safe in a theatre so you can catch Julianne Moore's outstanding performance (AND her paranoia) without binoculars!

1995 (R) 119m/C Julianne Moore, Peter Friedman, Xander Berkeley, Susan Norman, James LeGros, Mary Carver, Kate McGregor Stewart, Jessica Harper, Brandon Cruz; D: Todd Haynes; W: Todd Haynes; C: Alex Nepomniaschy; M: Ed Tomney. Nominations: Independent Spirit Awards ‘96: Best Actress (Moore), Best Director (Haynes), Best Film, Best Screenplay. VHS, LV, Closed Caption