Shelter
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Movie Reviews of Shelter
Movie Review: Extraordinary positive and realistic made-for-gay-TV masterpiece!
Summary: 5 Stars
Absolutely my all-time nomination for BEST Made-For-Gay-TV film is "Shelter" (2007), an outstanding film produced by Regent for here! TV.
Zach (Trevor Wright) is a 22 year old who is aimlessly spending his life in the working class town of San Pedro, just inland from the fancy homes of Laguna Beach. Besides his dead-end job as a short order cook, Zach helps to take care of his disabled, widowed father, as well as his young nephew Cody, whose single, alcoholic mother also lives with them. Zach is also an avid surfer and skateboarder, but his real passion and talent is as a art, specializing in "tagging" walls of buildings with his creative designs. When his best friend, Gabe, away at college, Zach assumes he'll be going surfing alone, until Gabe's older brother, Shaun (Brad Rowe, who most gay fans will remember from "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss"), arrives in town to stay for a while. The two develop a friendship ... and more, as repressed gay leanings surface once he gets to know the openly-gay Gabe. Zach initially fights his feelings, tries to reconcile with his girlfriend, and fears the ridicule of his buddies and sister if they found out. His sister already made it clear that she doesn't want Cody being around "that (derrogative term for homosexual)", and Zach worries what could happen to Cody if he is not around to help with his care.
A realistically-portrayed coming-of-age/coming out masterpiece of a film, beautifully photographed and above-average acting, music and direction. A sweet, almost lyrical story with a positive message, showing that "love" transcends anyone's definition of a "family," to include supportive friends who help you realize your ultimate happiness in life.
DVD includes director/actor commentary track, "making of" featurette and trailer. Winner of "Best Film" at several gay film festivals, with three also honoring Trevor as Best Actor. Definite high tide, five big stars out of five!
Movie Review: Serendipitous and Sublime
Summary: 5 Stars
Viewing Shelter was like watching a miracle unfold before my eyes. While staying at a friend's house over the Thanksgiving holiday, serendipity intervened and allowed me to catch this sublimely acted and beautifully nuanced piece. I don't think I'll ever be the same.
To me, what often separates the good from the great when it comes to film is that good movies manage to come up with something new while great movies are able to make standard material, even the highly cliched (boy meets boy/girl), seem completely original, authentic, and fresh. Shelter definitely falls under the latter description. What is miraculous is that it went a step further by having the narrative, music, and visuals completely wash over the viewer - like surfing a giant wave. The result is a sense that the film is an intimate chronicle of one's own journey for affirmation and acceptance, even if the details of one's life are completely different.
Just in time for the holidays, this DVD definitely tops my Christmas Wish List but in more ways than one: The soundtrack is beyond amazing and I hope to own that soon. Although I typically avoid movies that are made out of books, I would love to see the reverse take place and have a book made out of this movie. (It could be fictitiously penned by and written from the perspective of the character of Shaun, since he was a writer.) I also hope to see a sequel or a TV series even. I've read dismissive comparisons to the O.C., but if the Here! network (or any courageous channel) needed to put a contemporary spin on the typical family drama, I think this would be a great launching point. I kept yearning to see more as the characters moved forward with their lives and their relationships matured.
One could tell that everyone involved in the production, cast and crew, were totally invested in making the film. It's easy to understand why audience members like myself have been pulled in so passionately and completely.
Movie Review: This is a Great Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Along with "Beautiful Thing" and "Yossi and Jaeger," Shelter takes its seat as a likable and pretty love story. This is the second movie about gay surfers I have seen along with the Australian flick "Tan Line." In what is considered a predominantly straight world, surfers, both of these movies explore the possibilities of gays among the ranks of these members.
There seem to be a great deal of reviewers with huge amounts of information about the movie so I am going to be brief. The movie is about the love that develops between two surfers Shaun (Brad Rowe) and Zack (Trevor Wright.) Zack comes from a dysfunctional family with a sister who is a single mother and her son Cody. Zack pretty much plays a father role to Cody and babysits him a lot. Shaun comes from a rich family who has a house by the beach. They both grew up together but Shaun being older than Zack. Shaun's brother is Zack's buddy.
Zack discovers he is gay after one night of drinking with Shaun. Shaun has just returned from LA who just broke with someone and was waiting to get a new place. Shaun kisses Zack and the turmoil begins.
Jeannie, Zack's sister, decides to move to Oregon with her new boyfriend. She dumps Cody on Zack. Zack finally comes to grips with his sexuality and decides to become a family with Shaun who adopts Zack and Cody.
Zack is a very talented artist who gets accepted to an Art College with a full scholarship. Shaun is a writer for Hollywood. And Jeannie abandons her son.
That is the movie in a shell. I like how Zack is portrayed as a caring, selfless, loving young man. The movie also projects that a men gay couple can be loving parents, that is definitely a plus.
This a good movie and a great love story. The men look very masculine, with Trevor Wright having that beautiful rough exterior. Wonderful cast and super job for the director.
Movie Review: Life can be complicated...
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, I want to be on record as SWEARING that Brad Rowe is actually the love child of Brad Pitt and Rob Lowe... just look at him!!!
This is an easy film to like. Much of the conflict that drives the story is internal for the characters. The young lead is quite a good actor, displaying those conflicts with his expressions more than his words - just like most college aged boys would do. He moves between the freedom and joy of surfing and the challenges of lower socio-economic existance. He struggles with relationships, challenged by his desire for honesty and his fear of the consequences that truth will bring. And through it all we see him growing, in realistic ways.
I do think the movie fails in any type of exploration of the meaning of relationships between younger and older men (if early 30's can qualify as older). I never did quite figure out the time span covered in the film, but decided I'd like the film best if it is months rather than weeks.
The surfing and waves make great symbols of change, control, collapse. The always sunny Southern California setting adds a quality of its own, whether at the multi-million dollar house or the places next to the refineries.
The most effective mesage taken away from the movie is how true love, if between lovers, friends, family is inclusive. It is neediness that blocks those not seen as the fount of that satisfaction.
All a little esoteric. This movie is a pleasure to watch. The extras, particularly the "making of", add a lot of value. Though, I gotta say, I still get bummed out when straight actors, even the gorgeous ones, get to play the solid gay characters. Yeah, I know. I want the gay actors to be able to play straight characters, and I should be consistant. But, I am not.
Movie Review: You ready? (Brad Rowe speaking to Trevor Wright, last line)
Summary: 5 Stars
Shelter is a defining film for the gay community and stands shoulder to shoulder with Brokeback Mountain. For all the criticism about its imperfections on plot line and lack of sexual content, the movie depicts an ordinary situation for a young disenfranchised man with raw talents and suppressed aspirations. Movie critics were looking for gay stereotypes in such films, and the lack of it should be celebrated as a hallmark that the time of acceptance has come to mainstream markets.
Trevor Wright delivers a masterful performance as a rebellious, dissatisfied artist with a confused sexuality. He embodies the angst of someone having to put off his dreams and goals for the betterment of others. The camaraderie between him and Brad Rowe is easy and believable. The scenes of intimacy speaks to a couple who has found a connection beyond sexuality and physical needs. Through a simple smile, a look of trust, and a gentle caress, Trevor has conveyed what gay relationships (or any romantic relationships) are really about - connecting with that one individual that makes you feel like the top of the world every day.
By portraying intimacy rather than lust, this movie has successfully recast sexuality as an aspect rather than the entire identity of a person. That assertion in itself makes this a brave film by refusing to bend to perceived gay norms. It is no wonder that this movie had consistent connected with people old and young, gay and straight, rich and poor - the truth is powerful. Look no further than the hundreds of positive Youtube reviews for confirmation.
I hope that Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe will get more work - they have truly done gay and lesbians a service by doing this film and should be rewarded somehow.