IMDb RATING
5.8/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
Two bad singers are mistaken for top safe-crackers at a bar; a gangster boss orders them to break into three safes or else.Two bad singers are mistaken for top safe-crackers at a bar; a gangster boss orders them to break into three safes or else.Two bad singers are mistaken for top safe-crackers at a bar; a gangster boss orders them to break into three safes or else.
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Not your cookie cutter "Dumb" comedy. Just little oddities that make you say, "What the hell was that all about?" Sam Rockwell and Steven Zahn have great comedic timing as well as a flair for understated physical comedy. It just made me laugh. . but I must warn that I've recommended this film to some of my friends, and it just didn't respond to their comedic sensibilities. Also, if you've ever been to a barmitzvah, the scene in the movie is just barely parody. Hilarious!
7 out of 10 "Sweet 'stache dude."
7 out of 10 "Sweet 'stache dude."
This film reminds me a bit like Bad Santa.. no real plot, no attempt to do anything great, but the understatement and unpredictable flow of the movie just keeps your attention. Lots of little quirky and unconnected plot moments that make you chuckle. Put it this way, any director that puts the spaghetti in the tub kid from Gummo in a movie has got a sense of humor just slightly twisted enough to be worthy of note. The wide disparity of reviews, mostly either 2 or 10 doesn't surprise me. Some people will get it, some won't.
Someone remarked here that "Safe Men" could only be enjoyed if you were Jewish -- I'm not, but I still enjoyed it.
"Safe Men" is about two bad singers, Sam and Eddie (Sam Rockwell and Steve Zahn) who are mistaken for two safecrackers (Mark Ruffalo and Josh Paris) and are forcibly recruited by mobster Big Fat Bernie Gayle (Michael Lerner) to rob three safes. And that's just the test.
After being released by Gayle, the two men proceed to a gift shop where Sam smells candles and chooses items for a gift basket for Big Fat Bernie, figuring that then he won't make them rob any safes.
Gayle is ably assisted by Veal Chop (Paul Giamatti), his loyal flunkie. One activity currently in the household is the preparation of Big Fat Bernie Gayle Jr.'s bar mitzvah.
Harvey Fierstein plays Leo, a fence, whose daughter, Hannah (Christina Kirk), is the object of the affections of both Sam and one of the real safecrackers.
The standout for me is Paul Giamatti, who is hilarious.
There was a lot of laugh-out-loud humor in this. I admit that this writer, John Hamburg, has written some films I don't like with crude humor that is geared to the lowest common denominator. I prefer humor that comes out of ridiculous situations. This one fit the bill.
"Safe Men" is about two bad singers, Sam and Eddie (Sam Rockwell and Steve Zahn) who are mistaken for two safecrackers (Mark Ruffalo and Josh Paris) and are forcibly recruited by mobster Big Fat Bernie Gayle (Michael Lerner) to rob three safes. And that's just the test.
After being released by Gayle, the two men proceed to a gift shop where Sam smells candles and chooses items for a gift basket for Big Fat Bernie, figuring that then he won't make them rob any safes.
Gayle is ably assisted by Veal Chop (Paul Giamatti), his loyal flunkie. One activity currently in the household is the preparation of Big Fat Bernie Gayle Jr.'s bar mitzvah.
Harvey Fierstein plays Leo, a fence, whose daughter, Hannah (Christina Kirk), is the object of the affections of both Sam and one of the real safecrackers.
The standout for me is Paul Giamatti, who is hilarious.
There was a lot of laugh-out-loud humor in this. I admit that this writer, John Hamburg, has written some films I don't like with crude humor that is geared to the lowest common denominator. I prefer humor that comes out of ridiculous situations. This one fit the bill.
This is one fresh and innovative movie. Great performances by a very talented cast. The story deals with safe cracking, lounge singing and Jewish mobsters in Rhode Island. However, the real strengths of the film are the incredible performances and brilliant direction. There are no wasted scenes and the material is so fresh. Rockwell is brilliant as usual, but here he has lots of other great actors to work with. I was not aware that any critics were negative of this film, but if they were, it was due to their own ignorance. **** out of ****. You will enjoy this film, I guarantee it!
What's more funny than a couple of lounge singers, Jewish gangsters from
Providence and unrequited love. The cast is amazing. Sam rockwell is a genius. Wheter he's in drama (Heist) or comedy(Welcome to Collinwood) he's seems to
enjoy his work and when the actor is having fun the audience will follow suit. Mark Ruffalo, Steve Zahn(totally underrated), Paul Giamatti and the old
schoolers, Michael Lerner and Harvey Fierstein make this one of the best cast films in recent memory. Christina Kirk is sexy and funny and tough. The guy who plays the MC at the Bar Mitzbah is awesome. I laughed my ass off from
beginning to end.
Providence and unrequited love. The cast is amazing. Sam rockwell is a genius. Wheter he's in drama (Heist) or comedy(Welcome to Collinwood) he's seems to
enjoy his work and when the actor is having fun the audience will follow suit. Mark Ruffalo, Steve Zahn(totally underrated), Paul Giamatti and the old
schoolers, Michael Lerner and Harvey Fierstein make this one of the best cast films in recent memory. Christina Kirk is sexy and funny and tough. The guy who plays the MC at the Bar Mitzbah is awesome. I laughed my ass off from
beginning to end.
Did you know
- TriviaDirector John Hamburg and actor Michael Showalter were college roommates.
- Crazy creditsAfter the end credits, there's a brief scene showing Big Fat Bernie Gayle and Leflore meeting in a men's restroom.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Peter Dinklage Performances (2015)
- How long is Safe Men?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $45,724
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $21,210
- Aug 9, 1998
- Gross worldwide
- $45,724
- Runtime
- 1h 28m(88 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content