Posted by Eric Stumpf
The Saratoga Film Forum will screen Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow's "Safety Not Guaranteed" at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, and Friday, Oct. 26. The film will also run at 7 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 28. This is the last fall showing at the Saratoga Film Forum, and we are going out with a satisfying bang!
Winner of the 2012 Waldo Salt screenwriting award at Sundance, "Safety Not Guaranteed" is the highly anticipated debut of writer Derek Connolly and director Colin Trevorrow. This premiere work is impressive to say the least.
The film centers on a magazine writer and two interns attempting to uncover a story about a man who claims to be a time traveler. The film's premise is actually based on a real ad that appeared in Backwoods Home Magazine in 1997, which reads "WANTED: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You'll get paid when we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before."
Great start, right?
The film only improves from there with a great cast of comedians and familiar faces from your favorite television shows. Aubrey Plaza, the monotone and deadpan star of "Parks and Recreation" plays Darius, the quirky and adventurous intern. Mark Duplass, the nonchalant ladies' man from "The League" plays the self-proclaimed time traveler.
The film is well made and well written. The script is tight, without any unnecessary content. It is often funny and constantly pushes the story towards its exciting finale.
In a similar fashion to Woody Allen's "Midnight In Paris," "Safety Not Guaranteed" provides us with romantic ideas of the past, but also reminds us why we should treasure our present. The film's plot has a romantic component as well but, considering my crush on Aubrey Plaza, I cannot say I approve of her dating anyone but myself.
Philippa Hawker of The Age raves, "['Safety Not Guaranteed'] balances the extraordinary and ordinary with great aplomb, and Duplass and Plaza give beautifully judged performances."
Relevant Majors: All of them!