(no subject)
Has anyone seen the movie Safe? Well, I did this morning, and the more I think about it, the more I love it. Essentially, Julianne Moore plays a wealthy suburban housewife who becomes increasingly "allergic" to, basically, the 20th century. She gets a nose bleed while having her hair permed, vomits after smelling her husband's (ably played by perennial Hey! It's that guy! Xander Berkeley) spray-on deodorant and hair product, and finally collapses in a seizure after inhaling fumes at the dry cleaner's. After determining that she's suffering from "Environmental Illness," which means that her immune system can no longer defend her body against the onslaught of chemicals found in, well, everything, she checks into a new age-y treatment commune-type thing.
The basic plot sounds rife for melodrama and cheap terror, but as Todd Haynes is at the helm it's actually pretty damned well done. It's not a ham-fisted condemnation of the "modern world," (though, of course, there's plenty of inherent and well-executed criticism), and the commune doesn't fare too well either. The leaders spout feel-good and empty-sounding jargon and lead the residents in hokey sing-alongs, and the end finds J-Moore secluding herself in her bare porcelain "safe room," affirming to her refelection that she does, indeed, love herself. Creepy.
So. Good movie.
I would also suggest that everyone visit Mexico NOW, before it becomes overrun with hippie trustafarian assholes. Unless that's your thing.
The basic plot sounds rife for melodrama and cheap terror, but as Todd Haynes is at the helm it's actually pretty damned well done. It's not a ham-fisted condemnation of the "modern world," (though, of course, there's plenty of inherent and well-executed criticism), and the commune doesn't fare too well either. The leaders spout feel-good and empty-sounding jargon and lead the residents in hokey sing-alongs, and the end finds J-Moore secluding herself in her bare porcelain "safe room," affirming to her refelection that she does, indeed, love herself. Creepy.
So. Good movie.
I would also suggest that everyone visit Mexico NOW, before it becomes overrun with hippie trustafarian assholes. Unless that's your thing.