"Safe" 1995
May. 23rd, 2021 03:01 pm"Safe" 1995, dir. Todd Haynes.
I almost turned this off because it was so slow. It's about a dull suburban housewife, Carol (Julianne Moore), who develops Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, called Environmental Illness in the film. She sees doctors and a psychologist, then eventually makes her way to a retreat in the desert called Wrenwood. Very little actually happens in this film, and the main character is very blank and empty. The film has an arty feel and perhaps speaks more to people who can interpret the language of art films. Some moments did resonate, such as when Carol has to contend with people who don't believe her, and when the guru at the retreat says that people are responsible for their own illnesses (I wanted to punch him). I read a review that called the guru a psychological fascist.
This film was kind of interesting from a disability/ chronic illness perspective, but it wasn't clear to me what it was trying to say.
Source: library DVD
I almost turned this off because it was so slow. It's about a dull suburban housewife, Carol (Julianne Moore), who develops Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, called Environmental Illness in the film. She sees doctors and a psychologist, then eventually makes her way to a retreat in the desert called Wrenwood. Very little actually happens in this film, and the main character is very blank and empty. The film has an arty feel and perhaps speaks more to people who can interpret the language of art films. Some moments did resonate, such as when Carol has to contend with people who don't believe her, and when the guru at the retreat says that people are responsible for their own illnesses (I wanted to punch him). I read a review that called the guru a psychological fascist.
This film was kind of interesting from a disability/ chronic illness perspective, but it wasn't clear to me what it was trying to say.
Source: library DVD