neumu [ cinematronic ]




	The Safety Of Objects
	Rose Troche Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, Patricia Clarkson, Moira Kelly, Timothy Olyphant, Mary Kay Place, Jessica Campbell, Robert Klein, Joshua Jackson, Alex House, Kristen Stewart 2001		In a suburban enclave, a number of lives go awry after an accident that destroys a promising young man's future. "The Safety of Objects" is an adroit ensemble tragicomedy, with some very bleak moments and some comic ones, too. Four neighboring families are affected, directly or indirectly, by the fate of Paul Gold (Joshua Jackson), who lies comatose in his bedroom. His mother Esther (Glenn Close) has devoted all of her energies to caring for Paul, while shutting out her daughter (Jessica Campbell) and husband (Robert Klein). Jim Train (Dermot Mulroney) is a workaholic lawyer whose wife Susan (Moira Kelly) craves intimacy that he can't provide. Their son Jake has an unhealthy sexual fixation on one of his sister's dolls. Annette Jennings (Patricia Clarkson), who was Paul's "older woman," is coping with a wrenching divorce, two daughters and her own fragile psyche. And Helen Christianson (Mary Kay Place) is simply bored with family life and is searching for stimulation. Within days, the relationships between these people will subtly or greatly change. Director Rose Troche, aided by an able cast, wrings real emotion out of banality.