In a time where cinema is dominated with heavy action scenes, huge blasts, car chases, big conspiracies, etc there are films like Safety Not Guaranteed which still remind us what is it that entertains us. At the end a movie is nothing without a good story, without a simple idea that catches your mind.
Safety Not Guaranteed has been directed by Colin Trevorrow and is written by Derek Connolly. Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake M. Johnson, Karan Soni, are the main characters of the story. Its a sci-fi comedy-drama which is a complete fun and happy adventure.
The story centers around Darius (Aubrey Plaza), a college graduate who is working as an intern at a magazine. A writer, Jeff (Jake M. Johnson) who works at the magazine has an idea to investigate and write a article about the man who has posted a strange advertisement in a newspaper classified which reads as :
"Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke.
You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have
only done this once before. Safety not guaranteed."
Jeff chooses Darius and Arnau (Karan Soni), who is a geeky Biology student working as an intern in the magazine just to diversify his resume. And the three set out to Ocean View, Washington to find this person who has posted the advertisement. After working for a while they find out that it has been posted by Kenneth Calloway (Mark Duplass) who works at a grocery store. Jeff tries to make a contact but Kenneth who appears paranoid sents him away after getting bad vibes about him. Its left for Darius to go and make a contact and pose as a partner for him in his travel.
Jeff who is also on this trip for his own personal agenda of meeting back his high school love sets out to meet her. Meanwhile Darius makes a good impression on Kenneth and he agrees upon taking her. But this is not concrete or final. She needs to undergo some training and learning and earn his trust. She does it well. Slowly she starts developing a bond with him.
When Kenneth asks her motive to go back she replies back with that she lost her mother due to her mistake and wants to go back and her prevent her death. When she asks Kenneth about his motives he replies back with the death of his love, Belinda.
But Kenneth's intentions don't seem such straight. Its altogether a different story of Belinda, from what he has told. Also some government agents are following him on suspicion. The movies progresses ahead in a brilliant way.
Is Kenneth claim of his invention true? What is in store for Darius? Why are the government agents following Kenneth? What happens with Jeff and his ex girlfriend? How does Arnau enjoy his being? All these questions have been answered beautifully. And the end - is a class act. A smile on face along with a feeling of content of watching a good film is guaranteed.
I am not a big fan of love stories but if asked about the ones that I like, then Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa will surely be in top on my list. The title means 'Will you cross the skies and come?'
It was written and directed by Gautham Menon. Silambarasan T Rajender and Trisha Krishnan starred in it. The music was composed by A R Rehman. The film's score can be said to be as one of the best scores in Rehman's career.
The movie tells the story of a guy, Karthik (Silambarasan) who wants to be a film maker. Due to some renovation work in his house, his family rents a place for sometime in Jessie's (Trisha Krishnan) house.
As for most of Indian films, Karthik falls for Jessie at the moment he sees her. The story goes ahead in a way which is very usual and predictable for Indian audience but the style of the director in showing the story is magical. It at once makes us glued to it. The parts of Karthik following Jessie or disclosing his feelings to her or even traveling across the state to see her are very shown very beautifully and with the right emotion. The credit for this goes completely to Silambarasan who has done a superb job in portraying Karthik.
Its not hard to guess the main obstacle in Indian love stories - the girl's father. Also Karthik and Jessie belong to different religions but Karthik does everything he can or any human could ever do to get his love. Somehow fate doesn't shine on him and when it does, its very short lived.
With this he gets an idea to bring out his story on screen. He starts to work on a script and just alters the ending as if he has got his love. Also the reappearance of Jessie in his life again, her story and the different turn of the events amazes the viewer.
The basic story although not new has its moments. There are many scenes which make you laugh or cry, happy or sad. Gautham Menon knows exactly how to show a simple story perfectly, which has been seen previously with his works - Vaaranam Aayiram, Minnale, Kaakha Kaakha,Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu.
The movie was shot and released simultaneously along with its Telgu version Ye Maaya Chesave, which starred Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the roles of Karthik and Jessie. It was quite successful too. The movie was re made in Hindi as Ekk Deewana Tha, starring Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson by Gautham Menon but somehow the Hindi version failed to strike the chords with the audience.
Jeff chooses Darius and Arnau (Karan Soni), who is a geeky Biology student working as an intern in the magazine just to diversify his resume. And the three set out to Ocean View, Washington to find this person who has posted the advertisement. After working for a while they find out that it has been posted by Kenneth Calloway (Mark Duplass) who works at a grocery store. Jeff tries to make a contact but Kenneth who appears paranoid sents him away after getting bad vibes about him. Its left for Darius to go and make a contact and pose as a partner for him in his travel. 
