Rent (but please BUY) on Amazon
Not too long ago, I reviewed (and ridiculed) a terrible excuse of an action film titled Safe House, released this year. It was a horrendous, dull, and downright insulting waste of time that should not grace anyone's television screens, except for white noise while folding laundry or for ironic, drunkenly induced, silly viewings for a good laugh at "so-bad-it's-funny" viewings. At the end of that review, I mentioned and recommended that you watch the other film, also titled Safe House (1998), starring Sir Patrick Stewart. Not only is it a superior film when compared to the lame duck offering from this year, but it is also a vastly superior use of the concept (paranoid actions within a heavily confined and fortified location), revolving around themes of national security, uncertainty, and the critical need to constantly reevaluate "American" values.
It has been one of my favorite films of this particular sub-genre, and it remains the golden example of its kind. And, if you have a little while, I will gladly explain why.
Originally airing on the premium cable channel Showtime in January 1999 (first airing in the UK in 1998), the story follows an old, retired man named Mace (Patrick Stewart) living out his golden years in his private home at a seemingly undisclosed location. He spends his days keeping his mind sharp with reading, making video logs of his day, and regular drills to test his marksmanship and tactical response. Oh, I forgot to mention, Mace may or may not be a retired deep-cover agent for the D.I.A (Defence Intelligence Agency), and may have been part of an elite team that specialized in dark assignments like assassinations and regime changes. Mace's past exploits have led him to adopt a strict, rigorous pattern to ensure his own safety and security, that is, assuming his claims are genuine.
You see, the problem is that Mace's daughter doesn't quite believe his claims of a post-secret-agent life, and is convinced that he must be suffering from some kind of age-induced illness, likely Alzheimer's, and is doing her best to provide her father with what he really needs to function in his own home. This takes the form of a housekeeper/personal assistant named Andi (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), who provides a healthier and clearer path for Mace, at least that's what she means to do.
However, as Mace begins to question his own mental stability, his past is seriously called into question, and his future may depend on distinguishing what is real from what may be self-soothing fiction.
Make no mistake: Safe House (1998) may be a made-for-TV movie, but it is arguably the most highly elevated version of the concept! The film is loaded with narrative depth, profound character development, good humor, and striking performances, the likes of which would be deemed too incredible for television, and not just from Patrick Stewart! Unlike most other films that share its title and general plot, this criminally underappreciated gem outperforms all of its contemporaries in every way!
For starters, the performances.
While it goes without saying that Patrick Stewart elevates any project he's involved in by sheer presence, the rest of the cast delivers remarkable chemistry and memorable performances in their own right. Kimberly Williams-Paisley holds her own with a performance that is so delightful and on point that you can't help but find yourself drawn to her. She also has fantastic chemistry with Sir Patrick Stewart. I couldn't find any evidence to back this up, but I strongly suspect they all had a great time making this movie together.
Next, the writing.
Written by Sean McLain, John Schalter, and Eric Steven Stahl (also the director), the script is a well-polished work of wit, character development, and narrative intrigue. The jokes land as well as they should; the dramatic moments are treated with the poise and weight they deserve; and the ending (without spoilers) is appropriately bittersweet. The script succeeds in taking the most advantage of working within a confined space, offering a surprising sense of variety that feels realistic.
Final conclusion.
If I haven't made it abundantly clear yet, Safe House (1998) is an absolute gem! It's a criminally underrated film that deserves to be seen and remembered by as many people as possible. While it is available for digital rental and purchase on Amazon, please pick up a physical copy of the film. Last I checked, it is not yet on any HD format, but it is on DVD. With luck, a distributor like Arrow Video will pick up this film for a brand-new HD release. In fact, I may write to them about that myself.
Get this movie in front of your eyeballs post-haste!
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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