Troche has created a truly moving film, upsetting and uplifting in equal measure.
The Safety of Objects (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:72
Fresh:35
Rotten:37
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: The large cast of characters and scripting are too unwieldy, and the suburban angst theme feels tired.
Runtime: 2 hrs
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS is an American suburban drama filled with subversive humour. We uncover the lives of four neighbouring families as they struggle to make honest human relationships. In doing... THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS is an American suburban drama filled with subversive humour. We uncover the lives of four neighbouring families as they struggle to make honest human relationships. In doing so the characters realise they must emerge from the isolation provided by...the safety of objects. In a desirable American suburb four families' lives become entwined. PAUL GOLD (Joshua Jackson) lies in his bedroom in a coma, nursed by his mother, ESTHER GOLD (Glenn Close), who in her role has unintentionally distanced herself from her husband and her teenage daughter, JULIE (Jessica Campbell). JIM TRAIN (Dermot Mulroney) is a lawyer who has more intimacy with his work than with his wife SUSAN (Moira Kelly), who in response chooses to settle into their new life without him. Their son JAKE is finding it hard to conceal his burgeoning relationship with his sister's doll, Tani, the twelve-inch girl he adores. ANNETTE JENNINGS (Patricia Clarkson), once Paul's lover, is in the midst of a messy divorce and is trying to keep herself together while bringing up her children, SAM and RAYANNE, on a shoestring. HELEN CHRISTIANSON (Mary Kay Place), bored by her husband and the banalities of everyday life looks for something or someone to spark her. Over the course of four days Esther enters a competition to win a car for her daughter and Jim, frustrated by his job, plays hooky to help her win; Jake throws over the Tani doll for some real friends; Annette reclaims her life when RANDY (Timothy Olyphant) enters Sam's and Helen discovers what she has at home is not something she wants to replace. -- © 2002 Renaissance Films [More]
Starring: Glenn Close, Patricia Clarkson, Dermot Mulroney, Joshua Jackson
Starring: Glenn Close, Patricia Clarkson, Dermot Mulroney, Joshua Jackson, Moira Kelly, Robert Klein, Timothy Olyphant, Jessica Campbell, Kristen Stewart, Mary Kay Place
Director: Rose Troche
Director: Rose Troche
Screenwriter: Rose Troche
Producer: Dorothy Berwin, Christine Vachon
Studio: IFC Films
Reviews for The Safety of Objects
The film skips back and forth between several short stories (originally written by A.M. Homes) that are more driven by atmosphere than plot. Yet Troche somehow fails to give them much of either.
This film is an acquired taste, but its fine ensemble of actors makes it easy to empathize. Very easy, in fact.
Not a complete waste of time, but it doesn't make us feel the way better dramas do, and, in the end, it lacks the qualities that would make it memorable or powerful.
The sheer number and variety of miseries on view suggest a kind of wallowing.
The effectiveness of The Safety of Objects and all such 'burb-angst weepies comes down to how far viewers will go toward feeling empathetic, or even sympathetic, rather than resentful toward such self-absorbed and self-loathing characters.
The characters are unusual enough, the dialogue sharp enough, and the acting good enough that it is relatively pleasant watching these lives for a couple hours.
The film is so energetic (a plus) that its body is often ahead of its brain. Still, the movie isn't so sappy that we're forced to resist it.
Deserving of notice if only for a few exceptional performances and some very fine editing work and cinematography.
[Troche has] made a quantum leap in the depth and confidence of her direction, coaxing career-best perfs from everyone involved while fleshing out each storyline to maximum impact.
It's a movie located in an interesting place, but without quite enough self-confidence really to inhabit it.
Each one of these characters experiences an incredibly healing moment and you want to celebrate with them, laugh with them, cry with them - they moved me.
The Safety of Objects is like a hike through the swamp of despond, with ennui sticking to our shoes.
Presented with such confidence, such care, that we love all of the characters, even if we don't like them.
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Safety of Objects at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Safety of Objects at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

