Review of “Shelter”

My hubby and I saw this movie at a film festival and absolutely loved it. As Brian said, it felt very real, almost as if you were just watching these people's lives instead of a movie. The acting was excellent. My biggest complaint was that I thought the ending was a little too pat, or at least the little scene tacked on to the end. I remember hearing some negative comments in the theater at the time, that it seemed a little cheesy. It was a very minor quibble, though. I didn't really find Shaun's availability that unbelievable. If I remember correctly, he was struggling with writer's block. I've been there a few times myself with my novels, and it does sometimes feel like you go months without doing much of anything. LOL All in all, I'd highly recommend this movie. It's definitely one of my favorite gay flicks I've ever seen.

I am happy to read this review. I don't typically go see gay themed movies at the theaters anymore-just been disappointed a little too much after OD'ing gay film festivals for the last decade. But, the reviews of this film have really impressed me. I wish more filmmakers would focus on new stories rather than repeating the narrow range of stories that have come to be cliches. I am not saying I haven't enjoyed some of these films, but there is only so many unrequited love/HIV/Rent boy/gay ghetto etc type movies I can see. I think part of this is because, really, it's not my life at this point. I am imagining for a vast swarth of gay men this is the reality. We have complex lives. I would love to see that. Where's gay version of Working Girl? Where's the gay version of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest? Where's our version of Blade Runner or Bourne Identity? Also, I would love to start seeing more genre movies coming out with gay leads. Action movies, thrillers, suspense, satire, etc. It would be nice to see more movies in which being gay is integrated as a part of the character, but not the central thrust of story arc. People will naturally see it as gay anyway, but I would like to see movies challenging them. "Hey, is this movie with an action hero not a gay movie?"

Hi,

Isn't this film a kind of remake of Tan Lines (Australia 2006)?... the story seems pretty the same but with some edges a little softened.

In Tan Lines the place where the story takes place was so obviously isolated that one undestands the "gay older brother" does not have many possibilities to get into another relationship... except for the "old love story"

In anycase I look forward to see this new film.

Regards

Out of curiosity, do you have any better titles in mind?  I like the title 'Shelter', but as I haven't seen the movie, I can't comment on how appropriate it is or isn't.

I do plan on seeing it eventually, though.  It sounds excellent!

I was lucky enough to sit near Brad Rowe during the Outfest screening last summer.  He is even hotter than he looks on screen and very comfortable in his skin  I feel it is his best performance yet. I am also sick of people referring to him as, "The poorman's Brad Pitt."  He is a fine actor in his own riight When Shaun and Zach kiss the first time I was actually moved.  It was great that Shaun did not come across as a predator of some sort but really there for Zach.  I did not find his "hanging around" awkward or improbable; he had come home to heal.  He was not looking for a new relationship, ergo, he was not like to go looking for just sex.  I also thought he saw something in Zach's struggle that needed time and space that was worth nurturing.

I hope people will support this film.  The opening weekend of any film, even an indies in limited release, is very important to distributors and exhibitors. It effects  their willingness to take on future projects.  Here! is doing a terrific service to LGBT audience and needs our support to continue to finance new films.

While Shelter and Tan Lines have some superficial things in common, the stories are pretty dfifferent and Shelter is a much better film all around.  I urge people to support the film so companies like Here! will continue making and distributing quality gay films.

a movie about gay men I want to desperately see.  That makes two in the last year ("Breakfast With Scot" was the other).  Hopefully this is a sign of things to come from the movie industry.

Cheers

JBE

Just got the here! newsletter email and Shelter is set to debut on the On-Demand network on April 18th.

http://www.heretv.com/sheltermovie/

One of the blogs on Popnography (maybe Queerty) pointed out that the NY Times managed to review the film without using the word "gay" once.

Kind of interesting.

 

Don't trouble yourself Doctor -- I'm a celebrity, I'll write my own prescription.

i was quite pleased that the movie is now showing here in san francisco (don't mean to rub it in to our friends in the heartland) but wherever you are - if this film is showing to a town near you please do watch it... it is such a moving, low-budget-but-well-made, refreshing gay love story.... although i have to admit that i can consider this another coming out film.... but it is really more than that.... and i disagree with the negatives in this review (although the movie is not at all perfect). i don't believe nor even felt that Shaun's "malleability" is false... he is a novelist... he is rich (or his family is rich) and he's a romantic at heart (you can see how he was affected by his split with his boyfriend).... i believe he has really fallen in love with Zach. there was not really any conflict at all in his part (except, ofcourse, of his writer's block). i just wished that they have delved into their relationship even more to make the ending more believable though..... i kept asking myself if Shaun was just on the rebound and Zach was just infatuated because this is his first time to love a man..... and with that in mind i don't see a future for them.... but then again... what do i know?

i do have to agree that Zach and Jeane's conflict was forced... wish they've did something else with that pre-final scene...

"Shelter" is a perfect title but i can't give you the reason because it would give away the ending... or Shaun's inner conflict - he has been a shelter for his family... but somehow... he needs to let someone to "shelter" him.... hope that makes sense without giving away so much.

over-all i find the movie so refreshing - no one died! such a beautiful romantic drama... i can only think of three movies that were effective in that genre (the gay romantic drama) - "Gone, But Not Forgotten" "Regarding Billy" and "Latter Days"... and it only goes to show how "Shelter" is way ahead of these films for it showed more maturity and depth (but i still love those three movies!)...

EVERY GAY MAN SHOULD WATCH THIS FILM!!!!!!!! It is no brokeback mountain... but hey - it made me feel so good at the end... and made me wanna fall in love.... go see it!!!!

.... and I absolutely loved it. It's romantic without being maudlin and cliched and sexy without being raunchy or explicit. And it's refreshingly free of any sterotypes that fill other such films. Other gay themed films should take note. I do agree though that Shaun was too available for this guy and the ending, while sweet, was a bit hard to believe. Still, one of the best gay themed movies I've seen in a very long time.

I loved this film.  Very uplifting.  I Dvr'd it to watch over and over again.

Hi,

Settled and watched this film on cable this weekend because it will likely never show on a big screen near me anytime soone. I enjoyed the wonderfully simple nature of the story - the reminders of struggles with family, life and hiding from yourself gave me great pause. At first, I did half expect "hot surfing" film but was very pleased when it became clear we were NOT reducing the story to that level.

Brian Juergens'review is spot on and he did a super job on summing up the film.

Vincent

 

 

What a nice way to spend a lazy sunday morning. A simple and delightfull story. I was also worried they were puting to much enphazis on the surfing but it turnd out be a wonderfull movie. Fantastic chemistry between Rowe and Wright. Very romantic and uplifting.

What an achingly romantic movie!  One of those movies that makes you want to be part of those characters lives.  Sweet and simple storytelling.  Two guys circling each other in a whirlpool of heat and tenderness.  Loved it!  And highly recommend it to anyone fancying a feel-good love story between two charmingly sensitive fellas.  Plus, the brother/best friend Gabe is a hoot, though way too little screen time.  Gotta hope there's plenty of deleted scenes on the dvd extras, and definitely a heavy request for commentary on the behind-the-scenes antics to making this little gem.

[possible spoilers]

Brian, thank you for your beautifully written recap of "Shelter". I'm only reading it now that I have seen "Shelter" (I was too afraid to read too many spoilers)

I agree with what everyone said about "Shelter". It has its flaws but it's certainly one of the better gay-themed films these past months. No major stereotypes, no big drama. It nicely flows through a young man's discovery about his feelings for another man. I loved Brad Rowe how he portrayed Shaun's slowly growing attraction to Zach, with simplicity. I was a bit afraid of the age difference and the fact that Zach did seem very young at the beginning of the film. He does mature though and his character grew on me quickly. The ending is a bit cheesy, but it doesn't ruin the film really.

It was a very light, happy, feel-good film - even though at times I was 'suffocating' alongside with Zach when he realizes how much he's stuck in this town of his, with his life in a dead-end and his family depending on him constantly and expecting so much of him. It ends well though.

R.I.P. - Heath Ledger [1979 - 2008]

***possible spoilers***

absolutely loved it.

i do agree with the writer of this article though. Shaun seemed way too agreeable and his willingness to change his life completely without any drama whatsoever boggles my mind.

oh and the L word wasnt mentioned. how sad. LOL.

other than that, i loved it.

Finally got to see this and loved,loved,loved it!  Sweet and romantic, with a great, realistic feel and some gorgeous moments. It's definitely making the list as one of my favorite romantic movies.

Particularly the scene in the car after Zach leaves Shaun's bed the first time. Such a lovely,joyful scene, and just the opposite of what I expected.

I interpreted Shaun's behavior as rooted in an already established affection, and maybe a little unrequited crush on Zach. He'd known Zach since he was a kid, knew his mom, etc... so I found it completely plausible that he'd react like he did to the situation, be as patient with Zach as he was, and be willing to take both Zach and Cody in with no hesitation.  He'd basically already asked Zach to move in with him when they talked about school earlier.

As for the last scene, it was a little sappy, but very cute and I thought it was there to show us they did get their happily ever after, since it was clear some time had passed-plus it was a nice call back to the earlier scene at the beach on what was really basically Zach and Shaun's first date. (watch Zach's body language when Tori shows up, how uninterested he is in her at the fire, how close he's sitting to Shaun etc...) 

 

I finally saw it and liked it a lot.   I was surprised how much I liked it.  It didn't reach for the usual gay cliches and actually handled gay parenting without a lot of melodrama.  Two guys love each other and take care of one's nephew....big whoop!!  I wish the world would react exactly that way.....

It was quite obvious that Shaun and Zach love each other....My one criticism was that they never said it at least to us, the audience...and I so live for those moments where two gay men actually say "I Love You" to each other... so one more movie without that touch...maybe the next one....and I can always get my fix watching ATWT or Verbotene Liebe....I guess.

In conclusion....I LIKED SHELTER.

Yes, it does sometimes take me a while to get to the DVD pile...

Overall I liked it a great deal.  It was a very relaxed sort of movie, part of the somewhat languid pace of the film.  But the pace helped convey the feeling of being stuck that Zach was experiencing in his life. His world was initially very limited and the tone needed to convey that feeling of being nowhere and going nowhere.

Shaun was more in a transitional place.  He comes into the story as an element of change.  Having just ended a relationship and suffering from writer's block he's clearly looking for something. He finds it in Zach, who I agree he might have had a crush on before.

What bugged me was Zach's passivity.  His sister's homophobia was really inappropriate considering that she's both a slut and a negligent mother. I did find myself screaming at the TV a couple of times when Zach failed to point out things I thought he ought to have.

I also felt really badly for Cody until the end.  Talk about a toxic environment for child!

Putting aside the romance piece, I think it was actually very interesting the way the movie addressed the notion of gay parenting.  Zach is clearly the only to true "parent" in his family home. His father and sister are useless.  Shaun also has a mentor/caregiver personality so it's not surprising he'd take well to caring for a kid as well.  But the idea that Cody is better off with two gay parents is rather more controversial than two men falling in love when you think about it.

All-in all it was good.  My one real gripe was the relatively few kisses.  But oh well, that's what Dante's Cove is for I guess.