Trusting Your Heart
10/10
Author: aharmas from United States
26 July 2012

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Is Kenneth for real? That's the big question posed and answered by this marvelous movie, a cleverly written tribute to the matters of the heart. "Safety Not Guaranteed" starts as a quirky investigation about what might just be a crazy attempt by a peculiar individual who wants to go back in time to solve a very important problem. When a local Seattle magazine gets a wind of this man's adventure, a discontented intern, an innocent student, and a jaded reporter try to figure out what really lies at the core of this man's project. As expected, relationships are developed, paths are cleared for each of our protagonists to get closer and closer to their individual truths.

For some, what they end up realizing gets a bit closer to happiness, for some there's the realization our dreams might never come true if we don't have enough faith and face our true selves. The film itself doesn't travel a straight line to its very satisfying resolution. It keeps the mystery going, and it doesn't feel like it's cheating its audience because it gives enough insight, with genuine emotions to see that our feelings are not as easy to understand because we avoid them for the most part, and sometimes society just teaches us to behave in particular ways.

Everyone in this movie is a bit odd, even a surprise appearance by a character long lost feels like there might be more to what she says, and this is supported by Kenneth as he explains her sudden reappearance. Those characteristics are what make us like the film. These people are different but not unlikeable. In fact, there is a silent character who manages to makes his mark by the way he gives us inquisitive and semi-incriminating glances. You must be warned you will probably have a marked reaction to this film's ending.

It's one very rare resolution in this day and age because we have traveled a long way to this point, and we feel like we have grown and earned our participation in this magical moment. It's an open ending, one that will leave the audience talking to each other, asking more questions and maybe even demanding a sequel to the story, and I wouldn't have a problem, spending another couple of hours, learning more about everyone involved if they continued to capture the magic of movie-making this way.