Safe Men (1998)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

John Hamburg

Writer (WGA):

John Hamburg (written by)

Release Date:

7 August 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

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...

Plot Keywords:

Safecracker | Independent Film

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | France:U | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Spain:T | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Andell Entertainment

Trivia:

Director John Hamburg and actor Michael Showalter were college roommates.

Quotes:

Veal Chop: By the time I get home, flip on Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, I'm looking at 36 thousand of his hard earned female deer

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter John Hamburg (2006) (V)

Affectionate Ode to the Deluded Loser

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.