IMDb > Safe Men (1998)
Safe Men
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Overview

User Rating:
5.9/10   1,618 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Writer (WGA):
John Hamburg (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Safe Men on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 August 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Welcome to the world of disorganised crime.
Plot:
Two untalented singers are mistaken for a pair of major league safe crackers in Providence, Rhode Island... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(17 articles)
John Hamburg Brings the Love to I Love You, Man
 (From MovieWeb. 10 August 2009, 3:30 PM, PDT)

Steve Zahn, you rock!
 (From EW.com - PopWatch. 9 August 2009, 12:25 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Affectionate Ode to the Deluded Loser more (44 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Sam Rockwell ... Sam

Steve Zahn ... Eddie

Michael Lerner ... Big Fat Bernie Gayle

Paul Giamatti ... Veal Chop
Michael Schmidt ... Bernie Jr.

Christina Kirk ... Hannah

Mark Ruffalo ... Frank

Josh Pais ... Mitchell

Harvey Fierstein ... Leo
Michael Showalter ... Larry
John Hamburg ... Philip
Raymond Serra ... Barber

Ray Iannicelli ... Swoop
Ali Marsh ... Sherry

Jacob Reynolds ... Ira
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language.
Runtime:
88 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director John Hamburg and actor Michael Showalter were college roommates. more
Quotes:
Sam: He's in the Jewish Mafia. It's probably more like a club than an organization. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
15 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
Affectionate Ode to the Deluded Loser, 23 February 2004

When a movie has so much good natured humor and generally a lot of heart one can forgive anything. While it has extremely low production values and obviously made on an equally low budget, the sheer fun of it all makes this a movie that many have great affection for.

Sam Rockwell's well proven off kilter charm is used to great effect. He's paired beautifully with Steve Zahn as the pitiful singing duo coerced into a life of crime. They are supported by a number of equally engaging characters such as Michael Lerner's overbearing Jewish mobster, Mark Ruffalo's soft hearted safe cracker and best of all Paul Giamatti's "Veal Chop". Giamatti is hilarious as well as touching as the mobster's incapable lackey.

"Safe Men" is an affectionate ode to deluded losers. These characters are losers simply because they are desperately trying to be something they are clearly not cut out for. They are basically a bunch of good guys on the wrong track. Lerner's gangster threatens all sorts of mean acts, but ultimately just wants to give a big hug to all. Zahn's character has a strong inkling something is amiss when after years of trying to hit the big time they are playing to a very silent senior citizen audience. Rockwell, the king of deluded losers, tries to placate him with the explanation that it's a Polish custom to show appreciation by remaining silent.

Maybe it appeals to the delusions that most of us at some point or another are subject to. Whatever; this may be a small, slight movie, but its an immensely enjoyable one.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Safe Men (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Please put 'Safe Men' on DVD!!! stuporfly
favorite bits? lanceupright
Movie inspiration? Starlight1231
On Hulu jpowers16-1
song help? neillymcd
Sam sings The Walk of Life MinnieBegosh
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