Safe Return Doubtful

2006

At a Los Angeles hospital in the 1920s, Alexandria is a child recovering from a broken arm. She befriends Roy Walker, a movie stunt man with legs paralyzed after a fall. At her request, Roy tells her an elaborate story about six men of widely varied backgrounds who are on a quest to kill a corrupt provincial governor. Between chapters of the story, Roy enlists Alexandria to scout the hospital’s pharmacy for morphine. As Roy’s fantastic tale nears its end, Death seems close at hand.

It sounds a simple enough story, but the cinematic experience of watching this is like no other. Each scene is a work of art with stark colour contrast, for example, the bright orange of the desert mountains, against the sky and the desert itself, and the costumes of the six characters. 

The magnitude of the film is incredible also, shot in 18 countries over many years, a huge work of commitment. 

The highlight amongst the excellent cast is the young Romanian, Catinca Untaru. 

Other films may attract the nickname of being a ‘fairy tale for adults’ but this absolutely is; with its themes of love and death, adventure and coming of age. 

IMDb score 7.8 / 10 – My score 8 / 10