Safe House (1998)

One of the worst movies I've ever seen

A Masterpiece!

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Once Kimberly Williams, now going by mod name Kimberly Williams-Paisley, picks up a set of chopsticks, you know you've gotten yourself into a 90s hipster film, this one being of the intrigue sub-genre of action films. Accordingly it leans more on dramatic effect and less on action.The downside is that the typical 90s hipster political attitudes and mores tend to get in the way of enjoying the film, with all the government conspiracy around every corner and conservatives as fascists in disguise who would choose donuts before salads, the typically immature and mono-dimensional views of society by 20-something 90s era hipsters.Fortunately, Patrick Stewart puts in his usual commanding and forceful performance and makes us concentrate on the important issue, that of him being aware that he is losing his memory and trying to deal with it the best he can.The surprise ending is not a gigantic surprise, but it's fine. The whole thing about Williams' character being a macro-biotic chef ends up seeming just stupid once it's seen in the light of how it all ends. Watch and you will understand.Since when did using chopsticks become the symbol of liberal enlightenment? What's wrong with the fork, a better utensil anyway? Attention hipsters: The fascist Ghenghis Khan used chopsticks too, when he wasn't using his hands.

The concept of making the audience wonder whether the hero is really being threatened or is the victim of delusions, has been used several times recently. I enjoyed this take on it better than most and I love Patrick Stewart in any role! I hadn't expected it to be so heart-wrenching at times, but it was. One scene, in which Mace (P.S.)is doing a cognitive test for his doctor, was particularly effective. As a result, this was not only a suspense movie it had some very realistic portrayals of the slow but steady mental decline of Alzheimer's victims--and how tragic that is, as they realize it is happening. I think I appreciated that accurate and informational aspect as much as I did the mystery of Mace's activities with his complex computer set-up. I watched this while walking on my treadmill and usually do a movie in two sessions. This one kept me going through the entire time.

This is without a doubt my favorite movie of ALL TIME! Patrick Stewart's performance is nothing less than captivating. One minute you're laughing you're head off, the next you're sympathizing with him. I won't give it away but the ending is awesome. It's so perfect! A movie that you both can and can't take seriously all at the same time! You can laugh one moment, and think in the next. Hilarious and convincing characters that could only exist in a movie, but keep you on the edge of your seat. And it has a plot that's easy to understand but keeps you guessing. Mr. Stewart is a true actor in every since of the word, and this little known nugget is one of his finest works. IT'S A MUST SEE!

"Safe House" shows us a public service retiree (Stewart) with early Alzheimers secluded in a suburban home with a fantastic maze of electronic surveillance equipment, an armory, and a beautiful young caregiver (Williams) to protect him from what he believes to be a plot to get him and what his grown kids believe is simple disease-related paranoia. What could have been a good thriller/suspense/psychodrama is unfortunately brought to the small screen as a comedy cum drama cum farce cum whatever. Although the flick has its moments, they're few and far between and a good premise sinks under the awkward one-man-band execution.