It
takes balls for a director coming from a European Arthouse background to do an
action film as his English language debut; not only did  Daniel Espinosa prove his mettle as a
director by doing so, he pulled it off with flying colors. From the intricate
main characters to the intense car chases, Safe House is a gripping, fast paced
movie that boasts a talented cast, a unique storyline, and adrenaline inducing
action sequences. The film starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds is now playing.

The
plot revolves around  Tobin Frost (Denzel
Washington), one of the world’s most notorious intelligence traders who is
wanted for treason.  Despite his
abhorrence for everything about the CIA, the organization which once employed
him, he forms a bond with “housekeeper” Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) after the
‘safe house’ where he’s brought to is invaded by mercenaries.

Given the chance to prove
himself, Weston – who aspires to one day become a full fledged CIA operative – must keep Frost from once again vanishing while fighting for both of
their lives. Frost’s complex, well developed character provides fascinating
insight into the mind of a sociopath, and Washington adeptly portrays the
tactics such individuals use to manipulate their prey.

As a man who has seen
much in his life and recognizes that he probably has “more past than he does
future,” Tobin Frost’s cynical view of the world contrasts Weston’s innocent
optimism, and he coerces him into seeing the harsh realities of  the lifestyle he’s living. Reynolds stepped
up to the challenge of this role much in the same way his character does his, becoming worthy of sharing the screen with an acting icon such as
Washington.

Also joining the impressive cast are Vera Farminga, who
made the originally gender-neutral role of Chief Linklater her own, bringing a
tough yet feminine touch to the role. Sam Sheppard, who in addition to
performing on screen is a Pulitzer prize winning playwright, takes on the role
of a CIA boss, and Panamanian born Emmy nominated actor and Grammy winning
musician Ruben Blades plays a crucial role in the storyline as ex-revolutionary
Carlos Villar.

Director Espinosa
stays true to his aesthetic, using imagery such as long corridors to create the
imminence of danger around each corner. His chosen location of Cape Town, South
Africa provides a gorgeous backdrop: the diverse terrain adds an element of
beauty, while the regal Green Point Stadium juxtaposes the poverty that exists
in the outlying areas of the city. The wild car chases, including the first where Weston races through the streets of Cape Town
in a late model BMW in a desperate attempt to escape his and Frost’s would-be
assassins, the water boarding scene, and the realistic fighting that
gave the film its explosive momentum were nothing short of impressive. The vein-popping, guerilla-esque hand to hand combat in
particular was much more intense and realistic than your average choreographed
or Kung-Fu style fighting.

In the
age of Wikileaks and political turbulence around the world, Safe House is both
relevant and surprisingly realistic. It is evident that everyone involved in this
film did their due diligence, researching every aspect of the characters and
the circumstances surrounding them to ensure believability. Even to the point where Espinosa had a CIA
operative on set while filming.

The talents of the
cast are utilized to their fullest, and Washington’s role is one of his most
bad ass since “Training Day.” Washington and Reynolds play off of
each other so well that it’s almost inconceivable that this is their first time
working together. The chemistry between them is impeccable. Espinosa literally
explodes onto the Hollywood scene in Safe House, which is sure to be one of the
most exciting films of the year. Don’t miss it!