Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Safety Not Guaranteed is a charming movie about a relatable outcast who interns for a magazine and embarks on a road trip for an unusual assignment. It’s not your typical rom-com, but it is delightful nonetheless. Let’s consider the pros and cons…

Pros: This movie has an interesting plot that takes a backseat to the slice of life story of Aubrey Plaza’s character, Darius. Her character is a likable introvert, while the people around her are slightly exaggerated stereotypes. There is the ruthlessly unempathetic boss, the nerdy virgin and the pessimistic editor going through a midlife crisis. Darius’s bond with Mark Duplass’s character is natural and well developed. My final positive is the length, which is just under an hour and thirty minutes. The movie doesn’t waste time with unnecessary beats or scenes, which is always appreciated.

Cons: It may seem contradictory to praise a movie’s characters and criticize the acting, but that’s exactly what I’m about to do. The actors do a serviceable job here, but there’s nothing especially spectacular about any of these performances. In fact, it’s hard not to see hints of previous performances shine through in this movie. Aubrey Plaza is playing her same character from Parks and Rec, Jake Johnson is playing his same character from New Girl. It’s difficult to say whether these actors are typecast or lack range in general, but either way it may pull you out of the movie.

I give Safety Not Guaranteed a solid B. It’s a perfectly harmless movie that won’t change your life, but it has fun characters and an interesting plot. If you’re in the mood for a quirky rom-com, look no further! Happy Watching!

“WANTED: Somebody to go back in time with me… Safety not guaranteed.”