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Italy released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), Italian ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), Italian ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Filmographies, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Todd Haynes's eerie medical thriller shows us that our environment has finally turned against us. Carol, a typical upper middle-class housewife, begins to complain of vague symptoms of illness. She 'doesn't feel right,' has unexplained headaches, congestion, a dry cough, nosebleeds, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Her family doctor treats her concerns dismissively and suggests a psychiatrist. Eventually, an allergist tells her that she has Environmental Illness. Her body is rebelling against the overload that her immune system has to deal with, as she is continually exposed to all of the chemicals that we inhale, ingest, and absorb daily. The pollution in our air, pesticides on our food, and toxins in our water, are collectively overwhelming her defenses. The ubiquitous sprays, creams, and emollients used to beautify have become deadly poisons to her. In essence, she has become allergic to the Twentieth Century. She sees Wrenwood as her only salvation, a New Agey center run (quite profitably) by Peter, a clichéd, easy-talking, demagogic guru. Unsettling and ambiguous, we are never sure about each character's hidden agenda, as they revolve around Carol, a timid, frightened pawn, overwhelmed by her condition. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Rotterdam International Film Festival, ...Safe (ITA)
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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Based on fact apparently, this stylish and bleak film takes a close look at a dysfunctional modern day American family, struggling to stay happy and indeed safe. Their problems are heightened when the mother begins having what seems to be panic attacks and strange turns for the worst. However, it transpires that she has contracted the rare, but on the increase, disease that is 20th Century illness. A disease that can affect the host at any time, and could be almost anything made of any substance. And so Julianne moore gets moved at great expense to her social circle and family life to a bleak American desert, where she is confined to a strange igloo-like dome, detached from society and her friends and family.
To call this film bleak is a massive understatement and if you are looking for fun then this is potentially the worst film of all time to hire after Dancer in the dark, but it is very well shot in places and has a chilling sense of absence and detraction running throughout. Moore is fantastic, and watching the family degenerate is horrible yet fascinating. Well worth a watch if you can sit through it.
By bookwormUK
Format:DVD
This is both an easy & difficult film to watch.
To cut a long story short:
1. The plot is potentially very interesting. But the story holding it doesn't go very far. A woman develops a very modern illness - but the narrative doesn't offer any sustained possibilities of what that illness MIGHT be or what is really wrong with her. It hints at psychiatric causes, but doesn't venture in any meaningful way as to an explanation/background/social reason to this. It offers an ambiguity that doesn't really work as it just floats around rather than offering the viewer different cuts of meat to choose & feast on.
2. It uses Julianne Moore to carry the undeveloped ambiguities of the film. ie relying solely on the talents of the actress rather than the structure of the film and narrative.
This is luckily the main reason for watching the film - watching a young actress at the start of her career, & showing how a young, genuine talent can turn a sucker of a movie into something far better than it deserves, just through an inspired performance.
The movie commentary is best avoided as the director sounds like a 13 year old idiot pleasuring himself over his own cleverness. Giggle, smurk, self-satisfied giggle. Yuck....turn off.... The cast is greater that its creator.
To cut a long story short:
1. The plot is potentially very interesting. But the story holding it doesn't go very far. A woman develops a very modern illness - but the narrative doesn't offer any sustained possibilities of what that illness MIGHT be or what is really wrong with her. It hints at psychiatric causes, but doesn't venture in any meaningful way as to an explanation/background/social reason to this. It offers an ambiguity that doesn't really work as it just floats around rather than offering the viewer different cuts of meat to choose & feast on.
2. It uses Julianne Moore to carry the undeveloped ambiguities of the film. ie relying solely on the talents of the actress rather than the structure of the film and narrative.
This is luckily the main reason for watching the film - watching a young actress at the start of her career, & showing how a young, genuine talent can turn a sucker of a movie into something far better than it deserves, just through an inspired performance.
The movie commentary is best avoided as the director sounds like a 13 year old idiot pleasuring himself over his own cleverness. Giggle, smurk, self-satisfied giggle. Yuck....turn off.... The cast is greater that its creator.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Lendrick
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
OK I saw this at its London Premier, so that may have skewed my view a bit, but this is a worthwhile and engrossing film. No it not plot driven and there is precious little sex of violence for those who want such things. But this tale of a woman developing a total allergy to the modern world is a film that will stay in your mind a long time if you are willing to give it a chance.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
An anthem for hypochondriacs everywhere
My beloved gran once told me that if one can't think of anything positive to say, one should say nothing at all. So this could be the shortest review ever! Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2010 by K Soze
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good movie but a shoddy dvd...
Review of the 'Prism' DVD. Known or releasing films cheaply on DVD but gee do you suffer for it. The print is very soft and fuzzy, there's a number of scratches and film burns. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2008 by Mr. G. Sturdy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Yawn!
I rented this as I quite like Julianne Moore but you've certainly got to be dedicated to sit through this! Read more
Published on 12 July 2007 by RoJ
2.0 out of 5 stars
Rather boring
I am trying so hard to finish this film. I just cannot get into it. It is rather boring. When I reach the end (if I ever do) I will let you all know!
Published on 27 Jun 2007 by Erini-virginia Dafni
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