Nowhere Safe

I am glad that I ignored the bad reviews and watched this movie. It was well worth it. It had a great message about courage, friendship, loyalty, truth, and is timely for the current issue of cyber bullying. If you are looking for a well acted, funny, poignant movie with a happy ending, then this is it. Ignore the bad reviews and give it a chance.

I'm not sure why other reviewers considered this movie unrealistic, other than the daughter being allowed to take such a public stand at the end of the movie. But, the vindictiveness and mob mentality portrayed in this was spot on. The relationship between the mother and daughter was healthy and realistic. The contention between the oddball (history) teacher and the administration was very realistic. And, if you've ever lived in a small, rural town, being demonized and horrifically harassed was exactly what a personal friend experienced just a couple years ago. This was a very good story that was well acted with a great message.

So I like Natasha Henstridge (in spite of some of her bad role choices), and I like Danielle C. Ryan (seen her in a few Lifetime movies), and Jamie Kennedy's only achievement was his part in one of the Scream movies.

Although the movie covered an important subject, cyber bullying at school, but it failed miserably in trying to send the message. The plot was weak, it was all over the place. And most importantly Kennedy playing an eccentric over-enthusiastic history teacher who liked to play dress up for his classes was the most diabolical aspect of the movie. I am guessing he was meant to be a weird, introverted character, but he failed miserably.

And realistically no woman would so quickly fall for a weirdo like that. Especially their initial few interactions. I mean walking off with a smoke machine in the middle of a conversation that should have been weird and creepy enough for a sensible woman to keep a distance.

Also the concept that a bully quickly has an epiphany and suddenly becomes a good guy is totally unrealistic. Bullies do not change overnight and even if they do they would not change so quickly because they develop a crush on someone.

Anyway I disagree with all bar one reviews.

I expected this to be as trite as these movies tend to be, but it actually kept me engaged and made me laugh in a few parts. Sure, it is as sappy as you can get, but these types of movies are. And I like that the girl went to another school and they bullying followed her... Because this happens to a lot of kids and many who had the bullying follow them did not manage to rise above. This might give them hope.

An excellent movie with a great message, engaging characters, great script and fantastic acting. Danielle Chuchran and Natasha Henstridge do a superb job as the mother and daughter, and the quirky history teacher (portrayed by Jamie Kennedy) is the perfect combination of eccentricity, warmth, wisdom and kindness. The young actors who portray Ashley's eventual "knights" (James Gaisford and Jeremias Elvegaard) are also very believable: flawed, yet likable young men who grow with the storyline. Probably one of the best features was the superior dialogue, delivered by all the actors in a completely believable and natural fashion. (Kudos to the director on that one). It's hard to pick out a favorite on such a great effort by all, but my vote is with Danielle Chuchran - she portrays Ashley with subtlety, passion, and an appealing vulnerability that gives way to strength at the conclusion. Well done! I wish there were more movies made like this - maybe the world would be a little better place. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/3/2020