music from safe

Safe (sometimes written as [safe] or [SAFE]) is a 1995 drama/thriller film written and directed by Todd Haynes, and produced by Christine Vachon.

Set in an affluent neighbourhood of the San Fernando Valley in 1987, the film recounts the life of a seemingly unremarkable homemaker, Carol White (Julianne Moore) who develops multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS, also known as "Twentieth-Century Disease"). MCS is a medically controversial diagnosis in which a person develops allergic reactions to the visible and invisible toxins found in everyday household and industrial chemicals.

Carol passes her days with activities such as gardening, taking clothes to the dry cleaners, and attending aerobics classes. Her marriage is stable but devoid of emotional intimacy, and her son is actually a stepson from her husband's previous marriage. Similarly, her friendships are polite but distant.

As she goes about her routine, she slowly begins to develop unpredictable and strange bodily reactions, such as persistent exhaustion, uncontrollable coughing (when surrounded by truck exhaust while driving), asthma-like symptoms (at a baby shower), nose bleeds (when getting a perm at a hair salon), vomiting, and eventually convulsions (at the dry cleaners).

Doctors are able to isolate only one chemical she reacts to after she undergoes an allergen test; milk, which she drinks frequently in the movie without incident. Doctors are at a loss of how to help her cope or cure her. She attends some psychotherapy sessions but does not gain any insight into her condition.

After seeing an ad at her community centre, she eventually resorts to moving to the New Age/religious retreat in the desert called Wrenwood, which is designed to help people suffering from MCS recover.

"Lucky Star"
Performed by Madonna
Written by Madonna (as Madonna Ciccone)


"Turn Your Love Around"
Performed by George Benson
Written by Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather and Bill Champlin


"Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car"
Performed by Billy Ocean
Written by Billy Ocean and Robert John Lange


"Heaven Is a Place On Earth"
Performed by Belinda Carlisle
Written by Ellen Shipley and Rick Nowels


"Whenever I Call You Friend"
Performed by Kenny Loggins
Written by Kenny Loggins and Melissa Manchester

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To do this weekend

1. Night of a Thousand Stevies 18: Nightbirds. at the Highland Ballroom, tonight at 9pm. Suggested Dress: Nightbird Glamour In Black And Blue, Capes, Cloaks And Enchanted Eveningwear, Eye Makeup Dark And Careless, Hand-Held Decorated Birds, Stevie Nicks Boot Fetish (All Summer Long), Black Glitter Tambourines, Coq Feathers And Cokespoons, Midnight Blue Velvet, Moonstone Amulets, Lindsey Or John McVie Prince Of Darkness Interpretations, Victorian Mourning Hankies or Black Chiffon Wings. Highland Ballroom: 431 west 16th street (at 9th avenue) (212)414-5994.
2. Grey Gardens at IFC Center: 323 6th ave (at 3rd street), (212)924-7771, Friday & Saturday at midnight. The Maysles Brothers capture two dowagers wearing the revolutionary costume.
3. Last Tango in Paris, starring Marlon Brando at the Film Forum.(209 West Houston Street, Between 6th Ave x Varick Street, ph: (212) 727-8110).
4. ASSCAT 3000 at the UCB Theatre.The Upright Citizens Brigade performs longform improv with possible special guests from Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.Sunday night at 7:30 & 9:30 pm. 307 West 26th street, (8th ave x 9th ave), ph: (212)366-9176.
5. Polaroids: Mapplethorpe at the Whitney Museum of Art (945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street, ph:(800) 944-8639).