Plenty of films have simple concepts, but never before has an entire movie been based on a 15-year-old classified listing of fewer than 50 words:

“WANTED: Someone 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. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.”

This actual ad from a 1997 issue of “Backwoods Home Magazine” became an Internet sensation and has now found its way to a feature film, the funny and surprisingly heartfelt “Safety Not Guaranteed.”

The little indie-film-that-could premiered to a flurry of positive buzz at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The unconventional romantic comedy boasts a witty script and strong performances from its leads: Aubrey Plaza, known for her role as April on NBC’s “Parks & Recreation,” and Mark Duplass, known as Pete from FX’s “The League.”

Though it focuses on time travel, the story is relatively simple. A writer and two interns from fictional “Seattle Magazine” travel to a suburban town to investigate an unusual classified ad posted by Kenneth (Duplass) looking for a partner for going back in time.

Darius (Plaza) goes undercover as Kenneth’s partner in training, slowly learning more about the peculiar burnout who thinks he can time travel. Meanwhile, Jeff, the brash, womanizing writer, (Jake M. Johnson) and Arnau, the timid, nerdy intern (Karan Soni), waste both the trip and everyone’s time trying to pick up women.

The film wisely stays away from the specifics behind its time-travel science, focusing instead on the relationship between Darius and Kenneth and how it evolves along with their mission. Its only blunder is the weak subplot of Jeff and Arnau, an unimaginative rehash of a teen sex comedy with no redeeming value.

Darius and Kenneth spend time training for their so-called mission, evading perceived government agents — including a comically slow car chase — and bonding over a shared past as social outcasts. As the two get closer, Darius realizes Kenneth may not be so crazy after all.

The undeniable chemistry between Plaza and Duplass carries the film. They create a lighthearted tone with corny banter as Darius, pretending to be serious about time travel, works hard to keep a straight face opposite Duplass’deadpan delivery.

Heavier emotional scenes balance out their hilarious back-and-forth of time-travel jargon and cheesy phrases. The two reveal intimate details about their past and their all-important “reason for going back,” as Darius’ cynicism slowly melts away.

Plaza shows sparks of real emotion behind a snarky, apathetic facade. Darius’ thinly veiled contempt for most people fades as she recognizes the genuine personality beneath Kenneth’s madness. In one endearing scene, the two share a romantic night by campfire and Plaza’s eyes flicker with a look of adoration for her newfound partner in time. The young comedic actress also shows off some serious dramatic chops as she tells the heartbreaking story of her mother’s death.

Daring time traveler Kenneth Calloway drives a sputtering yellow car and sports a mullet and jean jacket worthy of his Internet meme source material. Yet Duplass turns what could’ve been just another amusing weirdo into a layered character with such a sense of unfailing optimism that he’s impossible to root against. Whether he’s staring down a patronizing Jeff or barrel rolling through an obstacle course, Duplass is fully committed to the performance, and it shows.

“Safety Not Guaranteed” is a rare treat, pulling off the combination of science fiction and romantic comedy. Duplass and Plaza give the film a heart and soul in addition to its campy hilarity. It’s a charmingly enjoyable adventure that tells an uncomplicated story, leaving the rest to the imagination.

 

Published on June 21, 2012 at 12:48 pm