| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 30, 2006

Troche has created a truly moving film, upsetting and uplifting in equal measure.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 5, 2003

Simply put, there's too much going on, and too many fragile, damaged characters to fret appropriately over.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 8, 2003

A richly compelling movie that is as hard to forget as it is difficult to warm up to.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 6, 2003

It's a movie located in an interesting place, but without quite enough self-confidence really to inhabit it.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 6, 2003

The sheer number and variety of miseries on view suggest a kind of wallowing.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 10, 2003

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 16, 2003

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.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Mar 14, 2003

Troche ... seems to be tuned into Homes' writing, but without really knowing how to translate it to a cinematic narrative.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 14, 2003

A deftly made and poignant character study that deals with life's heartaches and its tender mercies.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 13, 2003

Happiness is a Magnolia Ice Storm of American Beauty.

| Original Score: C+ | Mar 13, 2003

It pretends to be a meaningful slice of Americana, but only succeeds in serving masses of tedium while driving its heavy foot down its own throat.

| Mar 13, 2003

I had a hard time keeping track of the members of each family from one jagged scene to the next, especially since no one says or does anything particularly interesting.

| Mar 13, 2003

[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.

| Mar 11, 2003

With a long running time that no amount of nonlinear construction can successfully quicken, Safety does have sequences and whole story lines that are fresh and thoughtfully entertaining.

Full Review | Mar 10, 2003

Its failed bid for originality takes the form of an unreasonably high quirkiness quotient.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Mar 9, 2003

A wistful, beautifully acted ensemble drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 7, 2003

A noble attempt that doesn't hang together.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Mar 7, 2003

It is as provocative as it is touching.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 7, 2003

Conceptually, it's a good try. But even with a fine cast working near peak proficiency, The Safety of Objects gets all tangled up by its own aspirations and, ultimately, trips into a quicksand of bathos.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 7, 2003