Safe (1995 film)

Safe ver1

Safe is a 1995 American psychological horror film written and directed by Todd Haynes. The film stars Julianne Moore as Carol White, a suburban housewife who develops multiple chemical sensitivity and becomes increasingly ill due to environmental toxins and everyday chemicals.

Plot

The film is set in 1987 in the San Fernando Valley, California. Carol White, a seemingly content housewife, begins to experience a series of unexplained health issues. Her symptoms include coughing, nosebleeds, and difficulty breathing. As her condition worsens, she becomes convinced that she is suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity, a condition triggered by exposure to everyday chemicals and pollutants.

Carol's search for answers leads her to a self-help group and eventually to a New Age retreat called Wrenwood, which is designed for people with similar sensitivities. At Wrenwood, Carol's condition continues to deteriorate, and she becomes increasingly isolated from her family and friends. The film ends ambiguously, with Carol living in a sterile, igloo-like structure, still searching for a cure.

Cast

• Julianne Moore as Carol White
• Xander Berkeley as Greg White
• Peter Friedman as Peter Dunning
• Susan Norman as Linda
• James LeGros as Chris
• Beth Grant as Nell

Production

Safe was written and directed by Todd Haynes. The film was produced by Christine Vachon and Lauren Zalaznick. The cinematography was done by Alex Nepomniaschy, and the film was edited by James Lyons. The music was composed by Ed Tomney.

Themes

Safe explores themes of environmental illness, social isolation, and the impact of modern society on individual health. The film has been interpreted as a critique of consumer culture and the ways in which it can contribute to physical and psychological distress. It also examines the role of self-help movements and alternative medicine in addressing chronic illness.

Reception

Safe received critical acclaim upon its release. Julianne Moore's performance was widely praised, and the film was noted for its unsettling atmosphere and thought-provoking themes. It has since been regarded as one of the best films of the 1990s and a significant work in Todd Haynes's career.

Legacy

Safe has been included in several lists of the greatest films of all time. It has been analyzed in academic circles for its portrayal of environmental illness and its critique of modern society. The film has also been influential in the LGBT community, as Todd Haynes is an openly gay filmmaker, and his work often explores themes of identity and marginalization.

See also

• Todd Haynes
• Julianne Moore
• Psychological horror
• Multiple chemical sensitivity
• Environmental illness

External links

Safe at IMDb

Safe at AllMovie