‘The Safe House’ Review: A Malformed Family Portrait Connecting May 1968 to World War II
In “The Safe House,” Boltanski’s family is a source of inspiration for the script, but their identities are concealed and certain aspects of the plot are slightly altered. The main theme remains consistent: a narrative set in the periphery of one of France’s significant modern protests. Initially, the story seems to be told from the perspective of a nine-year-old boy (Ethan Chimienti), who represents Boltanski himself. However, contrary to this initial impression, the film frequently strays from the child’s viewpoint, preferring a more fragmented narrative structure that doesn’t fully capture the family’s overall dynamics, even with Ethan’s energetic performance.