Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Safety Not Guaranteed

What is it about?

Co-workers answer the ad of a man looking for a partner in time travel, and instead end up taking risks they never thought their work trip would confront them with. 

Who is in it? 

Aubrey Plaza - Darius

Mark Duplass - Kenneth

Jake Johnson - Jeff

Karan Soni - Arnau

Favorite Scene: 

After locating him in the supermarket, Darius walks up to Kenneth and engages in an awkward conversation that entices him to choose her as a potential partner for his time travel. 

Favorite Quote: 

Darius: There's no sense in nonsense, especially when the heat's hot. 
---
Kenneth: Ever faced certain death? 
Darius: If it was so certain, I wouldn't be here. Would I? 

Review: 

Safety Not Guaranteed in an a nutshell is a big surprise. Upon reading the description on the back of the DVD and the general aura of the title, it seems like a movie that is silly, and funny. While SNG is outright funny indeed, as the film progresses, it moves from comedy, to intriguing, to a grand message of taking risks in life, love, and relationships. 

The time travel plot drives the movie as it is taken as a joke early on, before really morphing into a multitude of meanings about life, specifically the characters past, their present, and how we allow those things to affect our future. 

Aubrey Plaza, who really does a fine job in the role of Darius, however, the character really isn't much different from her role on NBC's Parks and Recreation. Mark Duplass is excellent in his role as the weird but emotional Kenneth, but Jake Johnson really carries the film as Jeff who knows that his life is a bit shallow because he never took real risks. 

Safety Not Guaranteed is a really good movie that has a flexibility of transforming through it's short 86 minutes. Which is another testament to it's amazing ability to be that great with such short running time. 

A highly recommended film. 

Grade: 3.25/5

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Man Love

"A man is only loved under the condition that he provide something"  - Chris Rock  Feeling that these days,  with the understanding  of privilege,  and responsibility. 

The Pondering 10 - Wrestling Roster Moves (2024)

2024 was a great year for pro wrestling. So many things are going on, and so many options for whatever you enjoy. For me, pro wrestling felt fun again, especially as my son is now all about the special art form as well.  As 2024 comes to a close, and I begin placing together the traditional posts in the "Most Fascinating Things" and the "Year in Review", I felt it would be fun to drop a new Pondering 10.  In this one, I take a look at the overall landscape of pro wrestling, and fantasy move a wrestler to another company. Again, this is my list. For all of the company tribalists, don't come at me! All in fun!  With that said, here is my Pondering 10:  10. Jonathan Gresham to NWA Gresham's style is unmatched. The dude is old-school and can make technical wrestling look like a modern science happening right before your eyes in storytelling. NWA is still grasping to establish that identity in the landscape by catering to the "old-style" presentation co...

AEW Full Gear 2024 Review: "the potential that resides in this company"

I attended my first AEW show in Full Gear 2024, as the event made its way to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event was even more special as it was the very first live wrestling event for my son who has very much caught the wrestling bug. One would think being around my interests would be the spark, but I genuinely believe he understands the beauty and magic that is pro wrestling. All of it is evident in his "universe" within his wrestling action figures and his constant intrigue in searching throughout Peacock and TNA+.  All of that to say, neither of us are big AEW viewers. Yes, I have my gripes with the company which I'll share. Also, AEW isn't the most suitable for a six-year-old to watch, so there's that. As a dad, I appreciate WWE and TNA's approach to their product. It doesn't have to be PG, but feeling comfortable leaving my son in front of your product unattended is a big plus. Again, more on this... Back to AEW Full Gear, it was a...