Safety Not Guaranteed

“WANTED: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke… Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed...” Such reads the classified ad that inspires Jeff (Jake Johnson), a cynical Seattle Magazine staff writer, to drag two interns to the beachside community of Ocean View, WA. As soon as the trio arrive, cocky Jeff takes off to find an old high-school flame (Jenica Bergere), leaving Darius (Aubrey Plaza) and Arnau (Karan Soni) to track down the classified ad's author—an eccentric, suspiciously elusive grocery clerk named Kenneth (Mark Duplass). Posing as a prospective traveling partner willing to undergo rigorous training, Darius befriends paranoid loner Kenneth, who not only believes he can time-travel but is also convinced that he's being followed by secret agents. Which, it turns out, he is. An offbeat, uplifting, and even romantic tale, director Colin Trevorrow's film benefits from Duplass's earnestly beguiling performance, as well as Guster band member Ryan Miller's original soundtrack. Taking viewers on a fun-filled, feel-good journey, this is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include “A Movie Making Mission” production featurette (15 min.), “The Ad Behind the Movie” on the real-life ad (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a winning film.] (S. Granger)