In the 21st century nobody will be...Safe.
Safe is a 1995 independent Psychological Thriller film written and directed by Todd Haynes, starring Julianne Moore, Peter Friedman and Xander Berkeley.
Carol White (Moore), a typical, upper-middle-class housewife in 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.
This film provides examples of:
- 20 Minutes into the Past: Filmed in 1994, set in 1987.
- The '80s: The film is set in 1987.
- '80s Hair: Many of Carol's friends sport fluffy perms. One of the film's critical scenes occurs while Carol is having her hair permed at the salon, with the chemicals causing her to develop a nosebleed.
- Automobile Opening: The opening credits roll over shots of a car riding up a street in the L.A. mountains at dawn.
- Creator Cameo: Editor James Lyons appears briefly as a cab driver.
- Cult Colony: The retreat Carol attends has shades of being a sect.
- Downer Ending: Carol decides to stay at the retreat longer even though it's increasingly clear that her mental and physical condition is continuing to decline. The film ends with her alone in a deceased member's private residence, having sent away her husband and stepson, staring sadly into the mirror and practicing an affirmation that another member recommended.
- Drone of Dread: The film's sound design emphasizes the noise of surrounding machinery and technology - the hum of a refrigerator, the whirr of a vacuum cleaner, the roar of traffic - in order to create this effect.
- Ethnic Menial Labor: The housekeeper at Carol's home is Hispanic.
- Extreme Doormat: Carol is very meek and frequently apologizes over things that aren't her fault.
- Hell Is That Noise: There is a very unnerving, almost overbearing sound that begins to play whenever Carol begins experiencing symptoms of her illness.
- House Wife: Carol is one, and presumably so are the rest of her friends.
- Sexless Marriage: Carol and her husband go from having a healthy sex life to Carol being unable to perform due to her illness, causing strain between them.
- Shrinking Violet: Carol is an exceedingly timid, soft-spoken woman who gives the impression that she wants to take up as little space as possible.
- Smug Snake: The retreat's director strives to come off as open-minded 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."
- Stepford Smiler: 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.
- The Unsolved Mystery: 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.
- Vomit Indiscretion Shot: There's a quick shot of Carol vomiting after kissing her husband, apparently due to his cologne.
