Writers: Derek Connolly
Released: June 8, 2012
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Budget: $750,000
Gross: $4,001,584
Production Companies: Big Beach Films, Duplass Brothers Productions
Runtime: 86 minutes
Rating: R
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Datasat
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1
Synopsis:
Darius Britt (Aubrey Plaza) is an abused intern at Seattle Magazine. Her, a writer Jeff Schwensen (Jake Johnson), and another intern Arnau (Karan Soni) decide to go on a work trip to find out about an ad that was in the paper. The ad reads:
"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. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before."
After stalking the P.O. box for sometime Darius finds the man responsible for the ad and follows him. She gathers as much information about him as possible. Jeff tries to talk to Kenneth Calloway (Mark Duplass) and become his his partner to go back in time with but Kenneth rejects Jeff. Consequently, Darius is told to attempt contact with Kenneth. She is successful. Darius gains Kenneth's trust and they both share with each other why they want to go back. Darius reveals she wants to prevent her mother's death and Kenneth reveals he wants to save a girl he liked from dying. They both develop a liking for each other. One that is much more than just a friendship but they keep it professional.
For the time being, Jeff searches for a girl named Liz (Jenica Bergere) who he once loved. They reconnect but unfortunately things do not work out. Jeff is heart broken and urges Arnau to live his life to the fullest and enjoy his glory days. They both spend a night out filled with drinking and carnival fun. At the conclusion of the night, Arnau finally hooks up with a girl.
The next day, Bridget Jeff's boss (Mary Lynn Rajskub), calls Jeff telling him that the girl Kenneth claims has died is in fact alive. Darius goes to interview her and comes to find the girl who is named Belinda (Kristen Bell) was never in a relationship with Kenneth. Belinda also tells her that a while ago Kenneth ran into her boyfriend's house with his car.
This frustrates Darius and leads her to believe Kenneth is crazy and cannot time travel. She goes to his house looking for him. She accuses him of lying. But Kenneth insists she goes. She follows Kenneth to a boat where he seems to have intricate machinery and technology installed. Darius decides to go with Kenneth. They both kiss and Kenneth tells Darius he wants to go back for her instead. They start up the boat and the boat disappears along with them.
Commentary:
What I enjoyed most about this film was it's slick humor and intriguing scope. Throughout the entire film I was trying to figure out if Kenneth was crazy or if he actually could time travel. The jokes were also smart and undeniably funny. Aubrey Plaza carried each joke with a sense of charisma like none other. It was a romantic comedy that did not give me nausea. However, it was the message that really inspired me. The film encourages the audience to take risks, to cease the moment.
Safety Not Guaranteed expresses this message of ceasing the moment when Jeff tries to come in contact with an old girlfriend but decides not to after seeing that the years have taken a toll on her appearance. But Arnau encourages Jeff to just do it, to just give it a shot. Jeff does give her a shot and comes to find he really likes the girl.
Sadly, things do not work between Liz and Jeff and this encourages Jeff to make Arnau have some fun for once. Jeff tells him he needs to enjoy his time as a youth. So they spend the night out and go to a carnaval and drink alcohol. After returning back to the motel they were staying at Arnau is embarrassed to spend the night with a girl he met that night. But once again Jeff encourages Arnau to just have fun before it's too late.
Darius and Kenneth take the same risks when they both open up to each other and trust one another. Although, The last scene is the biggest risk taken in the entire film. Darius agrees to take a chance and attempt time travel with Kenneth. Darius was down the dock as if walking down the aisle in marriage. She meets Kenneth at the end of the dock where the boat meets the dock just like a groom would wait for his bride at the end of the aisle at the alter. They both kiss and just like they would after their vows are convened. This last scene centrally sums up the message of taking a risks in the name of love.
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