Safe House (1998)

A psychological thriller; Mace Sowell, an ex-intelligence operative and whose past government activities catches up with him, faces his own mortality, in the shape of the onset of ... See full summary »

Director:

Eric Steven Stahl

Writers:

Eric Steven Stahl (story), John Schalter (story),

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Hector Elizondo

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Patrick Stewart	...	Mace Sowell
Kimberly Williams-Paisley	...	Andi Travers (as Kimberly Williams)
Hector Elizondo	...	Dr. Simon
Joy Kilpatrick	...	Michelle Sowell-Ross
Craig Shoemaker	...	Stuart Bittenbinder
James Harlow	...	Marc Ross
Richard Livingston	...	Admiral Thomas Michelmore
Julia Vera	...	Teresa
Brenda James	...	Asthma Girl Interviewee (as Brenda Klemme)
Robert Lee Barry	...	Rocket Scientist Interviewee
Scott Zacky	...	Wise Guy Interviewee
Wayne Demaline	...	'Butch' The Redneck Interviewee
Hank Garrett	...	Hitman / Postman

Storyline

A psychological thriller; Mace Sowell, an ex-intelligence operative and whose past government activities catches up with him, faces his own mortality, in the shape of the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Holding the electronic key to secret information which implicates a Presidential front-runner, Mace struggles for his life while battling the debilitating effects of the disease.

---

Plot Keywords:

alzheimer's disease | conspiracy theorist | bald hero | suspense | desert eagle | 

---

Taglines:

The less you know, the safer you are.

---

Genres:

Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 January 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az otthon biztonsága

Company Credits

Production Co:

Benjamin Productions, Filmquest Pictures, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hank Garrett, who plays the mailman whose pen runs out of ink, played essentially the same role in Three Days of the Condor.

---

Goofs

When Stewart gets shot and falls back into the pool, the rectangular outline of the squib-pad is visible through his shirt.

---

Quotes

Mace: What sort of name is 'Andi' for a girl?
Andi: It's short for Andrea. What sort of name is 'Mace'?
Mace: It's short for 'in your face'!

---

Connections

References Three Days of the Condor (1975)

User Reviews

Fascinating premise and interesting movie

The concept of making the audience wonder whether the hero is really being threatened or is the victim of delusions, has been used several times recently. I enjoyed this take on it better than most and I love Patrick Stewart in any role! I hadn't expected it to be so heart-wrenching at times, but it was. One scene, in which Mace (P.S.)is doing a cognitive test for his doctor, was particularly effective. As a result, this was not only a suspense movie it had some very realistic portrayals of the slow but steady mental decline of Alzheimer's victims--and how tragic that is, as they realize it is happening. I think I appreciated that accurate and informational aspect as much as I did the mystery of Mace's activities with his complex computer set-up. I watched this while walking on my treadmill and usually do a movie in two sessions. This one kept me going through the entire time.