Now I wonder what good a year is without a spy thriller. Not very good. That's where Safe House comes in.
Safe House is about a rogue agent called Tobin Frost (but aren't they all?) who goes to his former bosses for help. Now, that's ironic. What reasons could he possibly have for going back? What sort of trouble can he possibly be in? Who is after him that's so dangerous that the only place he can be 'safe' is with the very people he betrayed? Somehow, the 'housekeeper' of the safe house (Matthew Weston) that he's assigned to gets involved in his mix. A man with no field experience, Matt sure gets himself in several difficult spots, but his ability to adapt and improvise soon gets his superiors' attention. They begin to wonder if there's more to it than that.
Safe House isn't one of those spy films we're used to. There's not much suspense in as far as the plot goes. But the way the movie twists and turns with such suddenness! There are plenty of 'spill your drink' moments that sort of make up for a near-absent plot. That is what carries the movie along.
I think this clever directing gives 'spy thriller' a new (if not original) meaning. Some great moments just sneak up on you! I have nothing against the acting. But there isn't much of a soundtrack. No ominous music to give you a clue about what's about to happen. It just happens. I think it's great to try to do a movie without the audio cues that the audience has come to expect from such movies.
Back to the acting, we have a rouge seasoned agent and an inexperienced but resourceful rookie played by Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds respectively. Not an unlikely pairing, but it's interesting how to two try to get along as the movie progresses. It's not everyday that you get to watch over a CIA legend. Normally you get mentored by one, not get charged with his safety! For a movie with such a thin plot, the acting in general is pretty good! At least it doesn't leave you with too many questions.
Safe House is an easy movie. It's not too taxing to the mind, and yet provides just enough thrills and spills to keep you interested. In simple terms, it's a different sort of spy thriller, in a good way!
