Matt’s Flick Pick: ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’

FilmDistrict

FilmDistrict

It started with an advertisement. “Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.” Who would jump at this opportunity?

Jeff, played by New Girl’s Jake Johnson, is a cocky reporter looking to score with his ex-girlfriend while out reporting on the mysterious ad. Setting out, he brings two interns, Darius, an insensitive, quirky college grad, and Arnau, a insecure, nerdy Indian, who are eager to prove themselves. Arriving at the listed address, they discover that a nervous and eccentric grocery store clerk named Kenneth is behind the time travel claims.

Kenneth, played by Mindy Project’s Mark Duplass, is paranoid. Claiming to be investigated by the government and tracked at every move, the reporters obviously can’t be trusted. But Darius woes him over with her faux innocence. She’s stubborn and willing to go along with his backwoods time-travel training games, his bizarre habits and, of course, his outrageous belief in time travel.

With a cast of actors before they were big-name comedians, like Aubrey Plaza, from Parks and Rec, as Darius, and Duplass, this movie isn’t just funny, it’s also heartwarming and interesting. The characters are relatable and the dialogue is raw and real, with emotional twists that are worth the wait. Prepare to laugh, cry and feel warm and fuzzy all at once.

Contact Matt Merchant at [email protected].