A Safe Place (1971)

A Safe Place Poster

A young woman in Manhattan lives in a world where the past, present and future mix.

Introduction
"A Safe Place" is a 1971 progressive film written and directed by Henry Jaglom. The movie showcases an abstract story and combines aspects of existentialism and surrealism. It includes renowned actors, Tuesday Weld, Jack Nicholson, and Orson Welles.

Plot Overview
"A Safe Place" basically unfolds as an exploration of the elaborate mind of a young woman, Susan, who is translated in an impressive portrayal by Tuesday Weld. Susan, frequently lost in a world of her fantasy, struggles to distinguish between the truth of her life in New York City and the fantastical world of magic and memories she has created as a coping system.

Characters
Jack Nicholson depicts Mitch, who is Susan's client, caring, and pragmatic fan. Mitch represents the reality that Susan appears to dodge, repeatedly attempting to get Susan to settle down and deal with truth. Contrarily, Orson Welles's character, a street magician, embodies the fantastical world where Susan seeks solace from her disturbing truth. In her escapist world, she thinks back about her previous enthusiast, played by Phil Proctor, whom she imagines as an eternally infatuated suitor who she regularly declines.

Considerable Themes
The film touches on styles of reminiscence, disillusionment, and escapism. It concentrates on the predicament of the protagonist, Susan, who is seen browsing through her distorted view of time, typically meandering between previous recollections and present circumstances. The regular shifts in between truth and fantasy illustrate Susan's divergent attempts to handle her life's miserable reality.

Creative Approach
"A Safe Place" is defined by its speculative narrative structure and particular pacing. Jaglom uses a progressive technique, weaving scenes of reality with series of surrealism, which embody Susan's dream world. It seems like a wandering stream of awareness story where the borders in between reality and Susan's imagination blend seamlessly, generating an immersive experience for the viewers.

Efficiency & Reception
Tuesday Weld provides an engaging performance, perfectly encapsulating the paradoxical nature of her character, while Nicholson and Welles provide strong supporting efficiencies. Regardless of the critical recognition for its performances, the film got mixed evaluations for its non-traditional narrative and storytelling technique. While some critics appreciated its distinct technique and structure, others found the fluid shifts in between truth and dream overwelming and difficult to engage with.

Conclusion
In Conclusion, "A Safe Place" is an ingenious exploration of the mental landscape of a lady as she comes to grips with the complexities of her unforeseeable world. This movie, through its non-traditional storytelling and surreal narrative structure, offers an appealing glance into the dichotomy between truth and fantasy, and the fragility of human psychology. Despite the blended reviews, the film stays a considerable piece of avant-garde movie theater, boasting prominent efficiencies from its star-studded cast.

Top Cast

  • Tuesday Weld (small)
    Tuesday Weld
    Susan / Noah
  • Orson Welles (small)
    Orson Welles
    The Magician
  • Phil Proctor (small)
    Phil Proctor
    Fred
  • Jack Nicholson (small)
    Jack Nicholson
    Mitch
  • Dov Lawrence
    Dov
  • Gwen Welles (small)
    Gwen Welles
    Bari
  • Sylvia Zapp
    Susan at Five
  • Fanny Birkenmier
    The Maid
  • Rhonda Alfaro
    Little Girl in Rowboat
  • Rachel Harlow (small)
    Rachel Harlow
    Noah's Friend
  • Barbara Flood
    Noah's Friend