"We watch movies to follow a story and be entertained..."
We likely have very different definitions of what may constitute a story. A formulaic plot-line may relieve the audience of the need to think very hard, but this does not necessarily make for a satisfying movie. To be actively engaged can be of far greater value than to simply be entertained.
Safe is a film that challenges us to contemplate shallow materialism and charlatanism. Moore's character had everything society taught her to value in terms of comfort and privilege. It is no wonder that her dissatisfaction left her in an increasingly precarious state of mind. Unable to discern the nature of her troubles, she decides the source comes from outer toxicity. The flyer at the gym asks, "Do You Smell Fumes?" This suggestion triggers her flight to commune to be "cured."
The film is thought-provoking and makes demands of the audience that few films dare approach. This may well render it an "unmovie" for some, but I found it quite compelling. The ambiguity works for me, and is the sign of a filmmaker who trusts the audience with the challenging material. Seeing it again, newly remastered by Criterion, reminded me why it stuck with me for so very long.
Highly recommended.
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