Safe House

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday from director Daniel Espinosa and Relativity Media comes a film about not being safe, not even in a “Safe House”.

This film tells the story of Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds), a C.I.A. agent working in South Africa. Living a double life he tells his girlfriend Ana that he has a regular 9 to 5 job. In actuality he guards a safe house waiting for any potential need.

That need comes alone with the notorious C.I.A. rogue Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) turns himself in. Being a high priority Frost is taken immediately into the safe house under the protection of agents and Weston.

Within minutes the safe house is compromised and it is up to Weston too not only keep Frost in his sites but also to keep him alive. There is a leak in the C.I.A. as agents Catherine Linklater (Vera Farmiga) and David Barlow (Brendan Gleeson) throw accusations at each other.

But it is Frost who is in control as Weston starts to suspect those he should be trusting!

FINAL WORD: Washington is amazing as Frost. He is totally in control and nothing fazes him, which is why his character has been alive for so long. I thoroughly enjoyed watching his character unfold with an ending that was not expected!

Reynolds has no problem keeping up with Washington. It turns into a battle of wills and the tension is thick! Reynolds as Weston is a strong role and a good one for him. His character goes from wanting more to getting his wish – and handles it well.

Farmiga and Gleeson are the sub-duo, which was a nice underlying story. Both these actors are good at keeping a straight face and it works! Sheppard’s performance is in the background – until it isn’t and its good to see him back in action.

Other cast include: Sam Shepard as Harlan Whitford, Ruben Blades as Carlos Villar, Nora Arenezender as Ana Moreau, and Robert Patrick as Daniel Kiefer.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Safe House” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This is a really fun ride filled with chases, suspicion and thrills. Washington and Reynolds play off of each other very well and go fight for fight.

The cinematography is gritty and there are scenes that grainy but that lends itself to the films storyline. There are intermingling stories that keep the audience busy and, at the same time, yelling “whoa!” on several occasions.

In the end – no one is safe.