Review of Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) by Reuben M — 23 Mar 2013

SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED is an off-beat, low-key independent romance/comedy/drama. It will most assuredly not be for everyone. It's talky. It features characters with lots of annoying characteristics....people we might not like much if we met them in real life. But it also features a very original basic idea and some moments of genuinely earned laughs and other moments of truly deserved...well, not tears exactly, but at least warm feelings.

The story begins in the newsroom of a Northwestern City newspaper. The editor is looking for story ideas, and one reporter suggests that he go interview the guy who ran odd wanted ad. The ad says, essentially, that he's looking for a partner to travel in time with him, must bring own weapon, safety not guaranteed. And he mentions that he's only traveled in time once before. The story is quirky enough for the reporter (NEW GIRL's Jake Johnson) to get the gig. He heads off with two interns, including moody, shy Aubry Plaza (from PARKS AND RECREATION). They stalk the time traveler (the seemingly ubiquitous Mark Duplass...at least, in movies like this), and while he rejects working with Johnson...he does take a tentative liking to Plaza.

Johnson plays a truly annoying jerk who has other reasons for coming to this small town...and he doesn't care much about the story he's chasing. But Plaza and Duplass, the stars of the film, develop a very interesting friendship. It reminded me of a low key version of the Bradley Cooper/Jennifer Lawrence pairing in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Two damaged people finding a connection, but not being miraculously "fixed" or "cured" by the new relationship. Their scenes are talky, but quite witty and frequently touching. Turns out that Duplass has a very specific time-travelling task in mind, and Plaza has a very specific goal in mind herself. Naturally, Plaza doesn't actually believe they'll be travelling in time, but she seems to enjoy going along with the fantasy. Duplass appears to be DEAD serious, though.

The time travel aspect is certainly important to the film, particularly as the end approaches. But most of the movie is an exploration of troubled relationships, loss and regret. This sounds depressing, but the film never gets lower than melancholy. This is not a wallow. You won't need any Kleenexes to get you through. But (much like the thoroughly enjoyable ROBOT AND FRANK), the sci-fi trappings are fun to experience and prevent this indie movie from dipping too hard into clichés and actually give some familiar themes a feeling of freshness.

SAFETY... rambles a bit too aimlessly at times. The Jake Johnson character fails to win sympathy where clearly it is being sought. But the delightful Plaza and the less-annoying-than-usual Duplass are great fun to watch, and the movie is never less than interesting. I do recommend it.