The Safety of Objects (2001)
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48% of critics liked it
(73 reviews) -
65% of users liked it
(4,123 ratings)
Following up on her 1998 opus Bedrooms and Hallways, Rose Troche directs this ensemble film about suburbia and its discontents. Once an up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Paul Gold (Joshua Jackson) now lies in a coma, attentively nursed by his mother Esther (Glenn Close), who dotes on her son to the… More Following up on her 1998 opus Bedrooms and Hallways, Rose Troche directs this ensemble film about suburbia and its discontents. Once an up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Paul Gold (Joshua Jackson) now lies in a coma, attentively nursed by his mother Esther (Glenn Close), who dotes on her son to the exclusion of her husband and her daughter Julie (Jessica Campbell). Meanwhile, Jim Train (Dermot Mulroney) is a workaholic lawyer who is closer to his tortes than to his spouse Susan (Moira Kelly). Their son Jake has taken a morbid fascination with his sister's foot-high girl doll. At the same time, Paul's former lover Annette Jennings (Patricia Clarkson) is trying to pull her life and her family back together after a particularly brutal divorce. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- Directed By
- Rose Troche
- Written By
- Rose Troche
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2001 Wide
- Studio
- IFC Films
Critic Reviews
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
A richly compelling movie that is as hard to forget as it is difficult to warm up to.
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Ray Conlogue, Globe and Mail
It's a movie located in an interesting place, but without quite enough self-confidence really to inhabit it.
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
The sheer number and variety of miseries on view suggest a kind of wallowing.
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Vic Vogler, Denver Post
In boldly departing from the safety of a strong, unifying plot, Troche makes virtual objects of her characters by showing us plenty that intrigues and not enough that enlightens.
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Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Troche ... seems to be tuned into Homes' writing, but without really knowing how to translate it to a cinematic narrative.
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Cast
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Glenn Close
as Esther Gold
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Dermot Mulroney
as Jim Train
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Patricia Clarkson
as Annette Jennings
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Jessica Campbell
as Julie Gold
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Joshua Jackson
as Paul Gold
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Timothy Olyphant
as Randy
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Kristen Stewart
as Sam Jennings
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Mary Kay Place
as Helen Christianson
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Moira Kelly
as Susan Train
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Alex House
as Jake Train
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Charlotte Arnold
as Sally Christianson
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Robert Klein
as Howard Gold
- Andrew Airlie
- Stephanie Mills
- Angela Vint
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Aaron Ashmore
as Bobby Christianson
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C. David Johnson
as Wayne Christianson
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Haylee Wanstall
as Rayanne Jennings
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Kathryn Winslow
as Catherine
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Balazs Koos
as Walter
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Matthew MacLennan
as Jeff
