Released theatrically in just a handful of theatres in August of 1998, it got a VHS release, but was delayed on DVD until 2006 … and completely bypassed by the Blu-ray format, until now.
We first hook up with Sam (Rockwell) and Eddie (Zahn) as they are wrapping up their performance as a lounge act. They are just awful. Cats being swung around by their tails make for a melodious sound.
But their career as singing talent is about to take a left turn when they are mistaken, in a dimly lit bar, for two top-of-the-line safe crackers. Before you know it, Sam and Eddie are in the employ of a local mobster by the name of Veal Chop (Giamatti), the sort of (good) fellow that you don’t correct and don’t say no to.
Watching Giamatti on screen in 1998 in Saving Private Ryan, The Negotiator and here, in Safe Men, gave us all the information we would need to know to see that he would emerge as one of the best actors this century. How he was overlooked for an Oscar nomination for his performance in Alexander Payne’s 2004 film release of Sideways will forever remain a mystery.
Here, in this rarely seen gem from filmmaker John Hamburg (Along Came Polly … plus scripts for Zoolander, Meet the Fockers, Night School, etc.), Giamatti is a master … you go, Mr. Veal Chop!!
Also heading to Blu-ray on July 12 from Mill Creek Entertainment is director David Zucker’s 1998 comedy, BASEketball, starring Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Jenny McCarthy.
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