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Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Paul Giamatti, Michael Schmidt, Michael Lerner ... see more see more... , Mark Ruffalo , Christina Kirk , Harvey Fierstein , John Hamburg , Josh Pais , Michael Showalter

A case of mistaken identity forces a pair of lounge singers to pose as safecrackers in this farce. Sam (Sam Rockwell) and Eddie (Steve Zahn) are hapless musicians; Frank (Mark Ruffalo) and Mitchell (J... read more read more...osh Pais) are expert safecrackers. But when local Jewish gangster Big Fat Bernie Gayle (Michael Lerner) dispatches his henchman, Veal Chop (Paul Giamatti), to trick the safecrackers into service, the hapless Veal Chop can't tell the difference. In the end, Sam and Eddie are forced to go along with Veal Chop's mistake and perform three separate robberies for the imposing Big Fat Bernie. During their very first mission -- to rob the safe of local fence Good Stuff Leo (Harvey Fierstein) -- they're apprehended by Hannah (Christina Kirk), Leo's affable, deadpan daughter. Hannah lets the guys go, but sparks fly between her and Sam. It just so happens, however, that real safecracker Frank is her ex-boyfriend, and that she's sworn off dating criminals for life. The coincidences, double crosses, and unlikely romance culminate in the bar mitzvah of Bernie's son, Little Big Fat Bernie (Michael Schmidt), whose present is the Stanley Cup -- the actual hockey trophy -- which was stolen from Good Stuff Leo by the reluctant Sam and Eddie. Shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival, Safe Men marked the writing and directing debut of future Meet the Parents and Zoolander scribe John Hamburg. The film also gave a pre-stardom Mark Ruffalo one of his first featured roles. Sam Rockwell and Josh Pais previously appeared together in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

2,444 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

20 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: John Hamburg

Release Date: August 7, 1998

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DVD Release Date: August 15, 2006

Stats: 177 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (177)

  • DrZeek
    June 11, 2009
    DrZeek
    Eddie: Sam this man is in the mafia, he's not going to let us off the hook if we give him a fucking basket of sundry goods
    Sam: Oh, but he's in the Jewish mafia, I'm sure that's more of like a club than a criminal organization

    An overall charming film that is very flawed do to ... read moreits style, but the great cast and moments of inspired hilarity make it all worth it.

    Sam Rockwell and Steve Zahn play unsuccessful singers mistaken for two expert safe crackers (actually played by Mark Ruffalo and Josh Pais). They are forcefully brought in by a mobster, Veal Chop played by Paul Giamatti, and forced to pull a number of safe cracking jobs for Jewish mob boss, Big Fat Bernie Gayle played by Michael Lerner (who seems like he's going to have a heart attack in every scene). During this time, Rockwell's character falls in love with the daughter of one of the men who is supposed to be being robbed by them.

    There is a lot of plot, but its not really confusing because the movie exists in a world that is way to quirky for its own good. Sure its a comedy, but the way the people exist in this world is way to precious. The conversations walk a very fine line between being funny and going overboard in stylization.

    All of this being said, the cast is quite good. Rockwell, always solid, plays the awkward lead very well. Zahn is a bit dialed down from other, funnier characters he has played. Giamatti was probably my favorite character in this movie, as he actually had some layers. Ruffalo plays a lovable loser type, despite being a crook with emotional problems. Then you have Harvey Fierstein in a movie where he doesn't play an openly gay man.

    Its a very lighthearted crime comedy that certainly means well and scores few originality points, but pushes its charm way to hard to be better.

    Sam: Sweet 'stache.
    Frank: Thanks, bro.
  • stevetheman1236
    November 13, 2011
    stevetheman1236
    Safe Men is a quirky little comedy, and even though it unravels rather predictably, I can't say that I wasn't amused. The characters are extreme and eccentric, but they are likable in their own way (if you can get around the nonexistent character depth) and the story is odd enoug... read moreh to attract at least one viewing.

    But be warned: those who find Napoleon Dynamite to be undesirable should stay away from Safe Men because most of the humor is identical between the two. Nevertheless, I found it very funny. Hell, I even laughed out loud a couple of times.

    Favorite quote:
    Bernie: "Chop, do you think you can learn these two where the next safe is?"
    Chop: "Done and donner."
    Bernie: "Why can't you just say fucking 'Yes' when I ask you a question?"
  • StefanoEarnest
    November 29, 2011
    StefanoEarnest
    Despite all of the "blah" moments that it has, "Safe Men" is charming - in a mentally-ill sort of way. There will be parts of it that you'll like, parts of it that you won't, and parts of it where you'll laugh your ass off.
  • dresserlook
    March 27, 2011
    dresserlook
    Quirky, bumbling criminals played by some of the coolest actors around? Deadpan, hilarious dialogue? How did I not know about this movie until now? Loved it.
  • jscottcorley
    July 2, 2009
    jscottcorley
    What the f? Rockwell, Zahn & Giamatti and you somehow make a crap-ass movie? I was so confused by the hack ending that I couldn't get properly pissed about the rest of this shit storm.
  • vrtualme
    May 24, 2007
    vrtualme
    silly, but not too bad. most of the characters are kinda stiff. but it does have harvey fierstein in it.
  • Drewbacca
    March 15, 2007
    Drewbacca
    Kind of fun with great humor elements though nothing that had me in stitches.

    Frakkin' awesome cast, but needed more Giamatti. In fact, I would argue that every film ever made needs more Giamatti. That's just my opinion though.

    Sam Rockwell = YES!

View All Safe Men Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Nusair
September 19, 2006
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...it's difficult not to ultimately be won over by the uniformly superb performances and Hamburg's emphasis on thoroughly strange bits of comedy. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 16, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Technically raw and narratively bumpy, this high-concept comedy has all the merits and weaknesses of an amateurish indie. Illustrious cast, headed by Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Michael Lerner, and Harv... Full Review

Clint Morris
September 18, 2002
Clint Morris, Moviehole

Novel and vivaciously performed.

Bruce Feld
January 1, 2000
Bruce Feld, Film Journal International

Safe Men frequently excels in its little touches while failing in the long run to generate much excitement. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

July 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

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Lawrence Van Gelder
January 1, 2000
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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Safe Men Trivia

  • What movie is this quote from: "She's safe, just like I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised. And you get to die for her, just like you promised. So we're all men of our word really... except for Elizabeth, who is in fact, a woman."   Answer »
  • finish this quote: "She's safe, just like I ______. And she's set to marry Norrington, just like she ______. And you get to die for her, just like you ______. So we're all men of our word, really. Except for Elizabeth, who is, in fact, a woman."  Answer »
  • In what movie is this quote: "Don't worry, she's safe, just as I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington, just as she promised. And you get to die for her, just as you promised. So, we're all really men of our word."   Answer »
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