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Safe House (2012)

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Time Out rating

Average user rating

12 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Elevated above the norm by Swedish director Daniel Espinosa’s kinetic visuals, a smart script by David Guggenheim and Denzel Washington’s charismatic intelligence, this exciting spy thriller throws together idealistic rookie Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) and ‘rogue’ CIA agent Tobin Frost (Washington). When Frost surrenders to the US Embassy in South Africa, Weston’s bosses back at Langley have no time to ponder his twisted motives. Minutes after Frost is transferred to Weston’s ‘safe house’ for interrogation, the place is overrun by mercenaries, forcing him and his ‘house guest’ to go on the run. But who should Weston trust: sociopath Frost or his superiors?

The rest is one long, exhausting chase scene, with occasional breaks for slightly stilted dialogue, taking in the Green Point football stadium, the labyrinthine Langa Township, shootouts, and mind-games by Frost. While director Espinosa hones in on the ambiguous battle between Weston’s idealism and Frost’s cynicism, British cinematographer Oliver Wood – who filmed the last two Bourne movies – shoots the hell out of everything.

Author: Nigel Floyd

Time Out London Issue 2166: Feb 23-29, 2012

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User reviews of this film

Camerons' donations' said...

Posted on Mar 27 2012 10:43 Film took itself too seriously? Too many cliches, the CIA is evil? is it really? Guessed the bent agent straight away
. Note to self. Avoid Hollywood movies that glamorise designer violence , Arabic looking gunmen, have brooding mavericks etc etc. Give me a quirky human story anyday

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USMAN LATIF KHAWAJA said...

Posted on Mar 14 2012 02:02 walkout bad

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moesyjo said...

Posted on Mar 12 2012 17:41 Gripping, edge of your seat drama. Must see again as plot moved so fast some scenes may have been missed. As ever Mr Washington delivers

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Alan said...

Posted on Mar 08 2012 07:46 Some great, and deeply felt car smashes, but I must agree with Matt. I was really bored by the last half hour or so. Wish we'd had more of the gorgeous South African scenery which appears towards the end.

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Matt said...

Posted on Mar 03 2012 14:22 The first half hour is okay, but then it becomes dull and extremely predictable. Script is unintentionally (I assume) hilarious.

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Lauraaaa said...

Posted on Mar 02 2012 00:00 Saw this today BRILLIANT!!!! Its a must see..... Loads of jumpy intense moments !!!

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Mar 01 2012 20:22 Tickets? Check, Popcorn? Check, Seen all before but oddly don't care? Check, Director clearly a fan of Paul Greengrass? DOUBLE Check! Watch, enjoy, grab a beer after and struggle to recall what you saw this time next week? YOU GOT IT! 6+/10

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Numpty said...

Posted on Feb 29 2012 13:16 I rather enjoyed this one! Not much plot/ dialogue/ character development to write home about.. But then neither did the 'Bourne' films either(!) It's simply a good, well cast, run-around with lots of action. Great stuff! 6.9/10

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Ric said...

Posted on Feb 29 2012 12:34 Denzels acting made this jump from a 1 star to a 2 star(ps~no im not a denzel fan either) My goodness this movie is VERY FLAWED! And Ryan Reynolds just cannot act-who holds their gun up in public TWICE creating havoc & busting himself in the process-WHAT AN IDIOT.The writers should be shot as the characters were sloopy & plot mis-jointed.dvd MOVIE!! STAY IN YOUR HOUSE!

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on Feb 27 2012 09:25 Never thought I would walk out of a Denzel Washington film. Lasted 40 minutes of this washed out nonsense. The camerawork - spinning - zooming - all for no reason whatsoever. Denzel has replaced acting with brooding. No wonder he went on a media blitz to get interest before it got bad reviews.

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Paul said...

Posted on Feb 26 2012 11:17 Not much to recommend this film beyond Denzel's endearing smile in a film that metronomes between predictable car/gun/fight set pieces and mumbled script. Signposted plot means you don't have to pay much attention.

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Ian said...

Posted on Feb 25 2012 13:50 For once a Time Out review that has a film right.
Its good. As a thriller and a chase movie it is very good. Washington is excellent and Reynolds gives good support. Gleeson and Farmiga also play the who is the bad guy mystery well.
Well worth a visit.

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