Safety Not Guaranteed 2012
Directed by
Colin Trevorrow
Made by
FilmDistrict
Plot Summary
Darius Britt, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, is a disenchanted college graduate living at home with her widowed father while interning at a Seattle magazine. One day, one of the magazine’s writers, Jake M. Johnson, comes across a peculiar newspaper classified ad that reads:
“Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. P.O. Box 91 Ocean View, WA 99393. You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.”
Intrigued, Jeff pitches the idea to his boss, Bridget, and brings Darius along with Arnau, a diligent biology major played by Karan Soni, who is looking to enhance his resume. Together, they venture to Ocean View, hoping to profile the enigmatic person behind the unusual ad, while Jeff secretly aims to reconnect with a long-lost love from the area.
Their investigation leads them to Kenneth Calloway, portrayed by Mark Duplass, a grocery store stock clerk. However, when Jeff attempts to reach out to Kenneth, his approach backfires and causes a rift. Consequently, Jeff instructs Darius to establish contact instead. With her nonchalant demeanor, Darius wins over Kenneth, who is convinced that “secret agents” are monitoring him. As they engage in various training exercises in the wilderness, Darius finds herself developing feelings for Kenneth. A pivotal moment occurs when they share a kiss, revealing the depths of their bond.
During their conversations, Darius opens up to Kenneth about the tragic loss of her mother, expressing her desire to prevent such grief in the future. Kenneth, on the other hand, reveals his mission to return to 2001 to save his former girlfriend Belinda, who tragically died when a car crashed into her house.
Meanwhile, Jeff’s hunt for Liz, played by Jenica Bergere, his high school crush, leads to a bittersweet reconnection. Although Liz seems different from Jeff’s fond memories, he invites her to Seattle. She, however, declines, perceiving his intentions as superficial. Disheartened, Jeff seeks to distract himself by going out with Arnau, trying to make the most of their youth.
The situation takes a turn when Jeff learns from Bridget that Belinda is very much alive. When Darius interviews Belinda, she clarifies her past with Kenneth, denying any romantic involvement; while there were indeed no injuries, Kenneth had accidentally driven into her then-boyfriend’s house. This revelation brings about a confrontation with two government agents who have been monitoring Kenneth, suspecting he might be a spy due to his mysterious communications.
Returning to Kenneth’s home to confront him about Belinda, Darius finds him in a state of anxiety, claiming that Belinda’s survival indicates his time travel was successful. Just then, Jeff burst in, cautioning them about the agents lurking nearby. In a panic, Kenneth assumes Darius is in league with Jeff, leading him to flee into the woods. Darius pursues him and discovers Kenneth actively working on his time machine aboard a boat.
In a heartfelt moment, Darius confesses her dishonesty but insists that their emotional connection was genuine. She decides to join Kenneth on this daring adventure. Kenneth recalibrates his mission, now intent on returning not just to change the past but to go back specifically for Darius. As the situation escalates, with Jeff, Arnau, and the agents watching from afar, Kenneth activates the time machine, making both Darius and Kenneth vanish into thin air, embarking on an uncertain journey through time.
Timeline
Darius's Unfulfilling Life
Darius Britt, a recent college graduate, struggles with her discontent while living with her widowed father. She spends her days interning at a Seattle magazine, feeling the weight of unmet expectations and desires.
The Mysterious Classified Ad
While at work, a peculiar classified ad catches the attention of Jeff, one of the magazine's writers. The ad calls for someone to travel back in time and suggests that the endeavor is serious, offering a monetary return after the journey.
The Road Trip to Ocean View
Intrigued by the ad, Jeff pitches the story idea to his boss, Bridget, and gathers a team, which includes Darius and Arnau, a biology major. The trio embarks on a road trip to Ocean View with the aim of uncovering the identity of the ad's author.
Meeting Kenneth Calloway
Upon arrival in Ocean View, the team discovers that the author of the ad is Kenneth Calloway, a grocery store stock clerk. Jeff's initial attempt to contact Kenneth fails, leading him to direct Darius to take the lead instead.
Establishing a Connection
Darius successfully reaches out to Kenneth with her candid personality, winning his trust. Kenneth expresses his paranoia, believing that secret agents are watching him, which creates an intriguing tension between the characters.
Training in the Wilderness
As Darius and Kenneth engage in various training exercises in the wilderness, their relationship deepens. The bonding experiences culminate in a kiss, marking a significant shift in their connection and emotional landscape.
Sharing Past Trauma
Darius opens up about the loss of her mother, revealing her fears and her desire to avoid such grief in the future. Kenneth reciprocates by sharing his motivation to travel back to 2001 to save Belinda, his former girlfriend who died tragically.
Jeff's Reunion with Liz
Meanwhile, Jeff seeks out Liz, his high school crush, hoping to rekindle a connection. Their reunion turns bittersweet as Liz declines his invitation to Seattle, sensing that Jeff's intentions are more about nostalgia than genuine affection.
Belinda's Survival Revealed
In a shocking twist, Jeff learns from Bridget that Belinda is alive. Darius interviews Belinda and discovers that her past with Kenneth is not as they both believed, creating a stir among the group and altering their perspectives.
Confrontation with Government Agents
The revelation about Belinda leads to a confrontation with two government agents spying on Kenneth. They suspect him of being a spy and this escalates the urgency and tension as they seek to get to the bottom of his peculiar activities.
Kenneth's Anxiety and Panic
Darius finds Kenneth distressed, believing that Belinda's survival indicates his time travel efforts worked. In a moment of panic, Kenneth misinterprets Darius's intentions, causing him to flee into the woods as Jeff bursts in with warnings.
Discovering the Time Machine
Darius pursues Kenneth into the woods and discovers that he has been constructing a time machine on a boat. This revelation sets the stage for a pivotal decision concerning their futures and the possibility of time travel.
Confession of Feelings
In a heartfelt conversation aboard the boat, Darius confesses that her feelings for Kenneth are real, despite her earlier dishonesty. Kenneth recalibrates his mission, now wanting to return to the past not just for himself but also for Darius.
Activation of the Time Machine
As the tension mounts with Jeff, Arnau, and the agents watching from a distance, Kenneth prepares to activate his time machine. With a final decision made, both Kenneth and Darius vanish into thin air, stepping into an uncertain time travel journey.
An Uncertain Future
With Darius and Kenneth gone, Jeff and Arnau are left to ponder the implications of their friends’ leap through time. The future remains uncertain, leaving their stories to be unwritten as they consider what truly matters.
Characters
Darius Britt
Darius is a disenchanted college graduate, searching for meaning in her life. She shows resilience and depth as she engages with Kenneth, revealing her vulnerabilities and past grief. Her journey is one of self-discovery and unexpected romance.
Kenneth Calloway
Kenneth is an earnest and quirky grocery store clerk with a passion for time travel. His conviction in his mission hides deeper insecurities stemming from past loss. His relationship with Darius becomes a catalyst for his character's growth and emotional exploration.
Jeff
Jeff is the office writer who thrives on the thrill of investigation but is emotionally driven by his past love. His character adds a layer of complexity as he vacillates between seeking old flames and supporting his friends’ adventures.
Setting
Time period
2001
The story touches on the early 2000s, a period characterized by technological optimism and a burgeoning interest in science fiction. It reflects a time when the concept of time travel captured the imagination, while personal relationships and the exploration of grief were also significant themes.
Location
Seattle, Ocean View, WA
The movie primarily takes place in Seattle, a vibrant city known for its iconic skyline, coffee culture, and thriving tech scene. Ocean View, a small coastal town, is the mysterious backdrop for the time travel adventure, known for its quaint charm and sense of nostalgia.
Themes
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Time Travel
Time travel serves as the central theme of the film, representing the longing to alter the past and the consequences of those desires. The characters grapple with their motivations for time travel, exploring love, loss, and the complexity of human emotions.
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Grief and Loss
The theme of grief is prevalent, particularly in Darius's and Kenneth's narratives. Darius's loss of her mother and Kenneth's desire to save his girlfriend illustrate how the past can haunt one's present. The film delves into the ways individuals cope with their losses.
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Romantic Connection
The burgeoning romance between Darius and Kenneth highlights the struggles of forming connections amidst personal turmoil. Their emotional bond grows amidst the time travel quest, showcasing how love can emerge in the most unexpected circumstances.
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