History Film / Safe1995

* AmbiguousSituation: It's never really made clear ''what'' exactly is making Carol sick, though Haynes has stated that it is likely multiple chemical sensitivity, a rare and unrecognized real-life disease.

Carol White (Moore), a typical, upper-middle class housewife in [[TheEighties 1980s California]], begins to complain of vague symptoms of illness. She “doesn’t feel right,” has unexplained headaches, congestion, a dry cough, nosebleeds, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Her family doctor treats her concerns dismissively, and suggests a psychiatrist. However, therapy fails to alleviate Carol's symptoms. Eventually, an allergist tells her that she has "Environmental Illness". Isolated by her condition, and unable to function in her daily life, Carol seeks help at a New Age guru's desert community.

* SmugSnake: The retreat's director strives to come off as openminded and wise, but it becomes clear as Carol's stay goes on that he's an egotistical JerkAss who forces his followers to accept sole blame and responsibility for their condition, even going so far as to imply that a woman brought it on herself by not forgiving her childhood abuser. Nell becomes more cynical about his methods after her husband passes, but Carol sinks deeper into his "wisdom."

''Safe'' is a 1995 independent PsychologicalThriller film written and directed by Creator/ToddHaynes, starring Creator/JulianneMoore and Creator/XanderBerkeley.

* StepfordSmiler: Played for a lot of drama. Carol is clearly not happy in her life even before getting sick. The question is whether she's physically ill as well and what can be done about it.

''Safe'' is a 1995 independent PsychologicalThriller film written and directed by Creator/ToddHaynes, starring Creator/JulianneMoore and Xander Berkley.

* SmugSnake: The retreat's director strives to come off as openminded and wise, but it becomes clear as Carol's stay goes on that he's an egotistical JerkAss who forces his followers to accept sole blame and responsibility for their condition, even going so far as to imply that a woman brought it on herself by not forgiving her childhood abuser. Nell becomes more cynical about his methods after her husband passes, but Carol sinks deeper into his "wisdom."

* EightiesHair: Many of Carol's friends sport fluffy perms. One of the film's critical scene occurs while Carol is having her hair permed at the salon, with the chemicals causing her to develop a nosebleed.

* NoSympathy: Carol's husband is completely dismissive and exasperated by her sickness, acting like it's her fault when it's completely out of her control.

Carol White (Moore), a typical affluent housewife from [[TheEighties 1980s California]], begins to complain of vague symptoms of illness. She “doesn’t feel right,” has unexplained headaches, congestion, a dry cough, nosebleeds, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Her family doctor treats her concerns dismissively, and suggests a psychiatrist. However, therapy fails to alleviate Carol's symptoms. Eventually, an allergist tells her that she has "Environmental Illness". Feeling isolated by her condition, and unable to function in her daily life, Carol seeks help at an eerie New Age desert community.

* EightiesHair: Carol, and many of her friends, sport fluffy perms. One of the film's critical scene occurs while Carol is having her hair permed at the salon, with the chemicals causing her to develop a nosebleed.

Carol White (Moore), a typical affluent housewife from 1980s California, begins to complain of vague symptoms of illness. She “doesn’t feel right,” has unexplained headaches, congestion, a dry cough, nosebleeds, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Her family doctor treats her concerns dismissively, and suggests a psychiatrist. However, therapy fails to alleviate Carol's symptoms. Eventually, an allergist tells her that she has "Environmental Illness". Feeling isolated by her condition, and unable to function in her daily life, Carol seeks help at an eerie New Age desert community.

Carol (Moore), a typical, upper middle-class housewife from California, begins to complain of vague symptoms of illness. She “doesn’t feel right,” has unexplained headaches, congestion, a dry cough, nosebleeds, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Her family doctor treats her concerns dismissively and suggests a psychiatrist. Eventually, an allergist tells her that she has "Environmental Illness" and seeks hope from New Age practitioners.

Carol (Creator/JulianneMoore), a typical upper middle-class housewife, begins to complain of vague symptoms of illness. She “doesn’t feel right,” has unexplained headaches, congestion, a dry cough, nosebleeds, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Her family doctor treats her concerns dismissively and suggests a psychiatrist. Eventually, an allergist tells her that she has "Environmental Illness" and seeks hope from New Age practitioners.

* AmbiguousSituation: It's never really made clear ''what'' exactly is making Carol sick, the only possible explanation given is an allergy to milk, which she is seen drinking throughout the film.
* DownerEnding: [[spoiler: Carol moves away from her home in suburban California to a new-age retreat in the desert designed to help people with MCS, but she is utterly alone. Alone, but ''[[TitleDrop safe.]]'']]

* HouseWife: Carol is one, and presumably so are the rest of her friends.

"Carol, a typical upper middle-class housewife, begins to complain of vague symptoms of illness. She “doesn’t feel right,” has unexplained headaches, congestion, a dry cough, nosebleeds, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Her family doctor treats her concerns dismissively and suggests a psychiatrist. Eventually, an allergist tells her that she has Environmental Illness."