Review: 'Safe House'

Film: Safe House

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington, Robert Patrick, Sam Shepard, Vera Farmiga

Rating: **

 

By virtue, spy thrillers carry the burden of being smart, slick and racy, all at the same time. Some able hands manage to induce the right chills and thrills. Others can leave the brain gasping for breath. Safe House takes the middle road.

 

Former CIA agent Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) has been on the run. He turned rogue, traded in secrets and is now the world’s most wanted man. A twist comes early on when Tobin, very casually, walks into the American Embassy in Cape Town, to surrender, a move that guarantees heightened tensions back at the headquarters. Why an internationally-wanted criminal would surrender like this gives all in the CIA the opportunity to look serious, discuss at length his motives, run records, the works.

Before enemy assassins get to him, Tobin must be transferred to a safe house. It is when the safe house (wonder why it’s called so) is broken into that rookie housekeeper Matt Weston takes it upon himself to protect the notorious criminal until they find another ‘safe house’.

 

Swedish director Daniel Espinosa explores Tobin and Matt’s journey, riddled with gun battles, car chases, edge-of-the-seat thrills and unsettling conflict. With corrupt police officials on one hand, and a cunning Tobin on the other, Matt must make decisions that will change how the world looks at him.

 

The action scenes range from gory to unbearable but fans of the genre are guaranteed a roller-coaster ride. Sharp editing and well-executed chases are plus points. In the quest to achieve decorative gore, Espinosa takes the liberty of ignoring character development. We never really feel for the men even though Washington and Reynolds’s chemistry is scorching. Antagonist Washington appears as ease, like he’s just being himself. Reynolds’s perpetual grimace becomes repulsive after a while, burdening Washington furthermore to ensure entertainment. Both contribute to make Safe House an enjoyable ride. It’s not their fault that the director tries too hard to please.

 

Vera Farmiga makes a very brief appearance as Matt’s girlfriend, disallowing her to showcase what she could possibly be capable of. Just like Farmiga, refined talents like Brendan Gleeson and Sam Shepard are wasted on miniscule roles. Oliver Wood’s cinematography captures Cape Town’s streets well.

 

If director Espinosa stuck to the oft-taken path, Safe House could have been highly recommendable. It’s a safe bet for only die-hard action or Denzel Washington fans. Others, sit back and enjoy the warmth of your house walls.