Movie with Abe: Safety Not Guaranteed (Capsule Review)

Safety Not Guaranteed
Directed by Colin Trevorrow
Released June 8, 2012

This little gem of a movie is exactly what was promised by its trailer, which I spotlighted two weeks ago. A bevy of TV stars – Aubrey Plaza (“Parks & Recreation”), Mark Duplass (“The League”), Jake Johnson (“New Girl”), Karan Soni (“Touch”), Mary Lynn Rajskub (“24”), Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Kristen Bell (“House of Lies”) – band together for a tiny story of a Washington State-based journalistic team scoping out a peculiar man who was advertised for a time travel companion. Plaza’s demeanor, nearly identical to that of her “Parks & Recreation” character April, is perfect for the role, and Duplass captures the excitable energy of a man who lives in his own world well. Most of the characters in the film aren’t terribly likeable, but the film still manages to tell a pleasant, simple, and endearing story with a truly terrific ending.

B+