Film Review: Take Shelter
TAKE SHELTER (Jeff Nichols, 2011)
Perhaps, love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm. I was actually humming this line from the John Denver classic after I saw the film. The film is more of a thriller than a drama. Well, it can be drama without the manipulative drama. The bottom line is I was thrilled and engrossed. This is definitely one of the best films of last year, but it's not for those who regard (the likes of) Armageddon, Transformers, or Twilight as the best films ever made. Movies can be thrilling and suspenseful even without the required chilling scores and pointless special effects.
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| Michael Shannon in Take Shelter |
The film essays the descent of a man into madness. The man seems to to have a perfect family until fear engulfs him. His fear has its roots: a painful childhood memory, current issues (like climate change), and nightmares. His fear consumes him. I don't want to give the details. The film can be taken as a metaphor. And the ending .... whew! Applause! Applause! Michael Shannon delivered a masterful performance (alas, he's not too popular to be recognized by the Academy). Even Jessica Chastain gives a better performance here than her Academy Award-nominated performance in The Help.
These are the kinds of movies that I enjoy watching.
Rating: 4.0/4.0
Rating: 4.0/4.0
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