Movie Review
Title: Shelter
Starring: Brad Rowe, Trevor Wright, Tina Holmes
Director: John Markowitz
Rated R
Genre: Contemporary
ML’s Rating:
5 stars out of 5
A guest review by M.L. Rhodes
After giving up his dreams of art school to take care of his family, Zach (Trevor Wright), finds himself caught in an endless cycle of having to look out for everyone but himself. He works dead-end jobs to help support his flaky and irresponsible sister Jeanne (Tina Holmes) and her young son Cody, and takes care of the boy while Jeanne routinely puts her needs before her child’s. Zach and his friend/girlfriend Tori have an on-again/off-again relationship, mostly off, as Zach struggles with his feelings for her. And his best friend Gabe left Zach behind to go off to college, as did most of Zach’s other friends, intensifying his feelings of isolation. In his free time he tries to find solace in surfing, drawing, and doing street art in the form of tagging.
When Gabe’s older brother Shaun (Brad Rowe) returns home to recover from a broken love affair and try to get past a case of writer’s block while he works on his next novel, he is captivated by Zach. The two have known each other for years–Shaun taught Zach and Gabe, who were much younger, to surf–but he’s been away for a long time and is struck by how the kid he knew only as his brother’s best friend has grown into such a selfless and talented young man.
Zach is equally intrigued by Shaun and finds himself drawn into a relationship he didn’t expect. As his friendship with Shaun turns into something much more intimate, for the first time in longer than he can remember, Zach finds himself happy and hopeful that there’s more out there in the world for him than the existence he’s been living. With Shaun’s encouragement, he begins to think about art school again. And Cody, who spends more time with his Uncle Zach than his mother, adores Shaun, and vice-versa.
But real change means tough decisions. Zach’s sister is supportive of neither his desire to move on with his life, nor his relationship with Shaun (“Zach…you’re not a fag, are you?” and “…are you trying to fuck up our family?”). She plays the guilt card with him on a regular basis, because she needs him to “be there” for her and Cody. Struggling to come to terms with his own desires–both as a young gay man coming out of the closet and falling in love, and the need to seek his own path in life while honoring his deeply felt responsibility to his sister and especially his nephew–ultimately Zach realizes he can only find peace if he’s true to himself. He discovers the power of love, both for his nephew and for Shaun, gives him the strength he’s always needed to follow his heart and find a future filled with promise.
The thing that always strikes me about this movie when I watch it is that it’s not so much a gay story as a story about real people struggling with heartfelt issues. It’s a situation anyone can relate to, about finding balance between self and the needs of others, following one’s heart and dreams amidst adversity, and creating family and finding love in unexpected ways. Shelter is a testament to how family isn’t just limited to the people to whom one is born, but extends in a much wider arc to include any and all who love each other. Zach is a far better parent to Cody than Jeanne could ever hope to be, and once Shaun enters their lives, he, too, becomes a key player in offering security and a sense of family to the little boy. Shaun also gives Zach the love and support and encouragement he needs to seek his own dreams. In return, I think Zach does much the same for Shaun, shining a new light into his life, and giving him a new family anchor.
The romance between Shaun and Zach is sweet, but also seductively intense at times. And very intimate on an emotional level, which is a beautiful thing to watch. The scene where Zach finally gives in to his desire to be with Shaun, goes to his house, and the moment Shaun opens the door, kisses him and they can’t keep their hands off each other as they go upstairs is one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen. And it’s not just because they start to strip on screen so much as from the way they look at each other and the powerful chemistry between them. Brad Rowe and Trevor Wright, both straight actors, do an amazing job in their respective roles, and there’s never a moment I don’t believe they’re completely into each other and perfect together.
Honestly, there’s just nothing about this movie I don’t like. The acting is excellent, it’s beautifully edited, all the characters are well-developed–even the ones who are sometimes hard to like, like Jeanne, are still sympathetic and utterly believable. I like the soundtrack, which adds just the right amount of angst and feel-good without turning cheesy. Some might find the movie’s pace a bit slow, especially early on, but even that worked for me because it so perfectly set the atmosphere for Zach’s despondent state, making me really feel his isolation and lack of hope.
Set in southern California, it’s a delicious piece to watch all the way around, from the surfing scenes, to the love-making, and everything in between. It’s a movie with a ton of heart, and is a definite keeper for me.
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I LOVE this film! It is so sweet and even so it is real too
This is a great movie. It might be time for me to watch it again. Thanks for the review and reminder.
Semi-spoiler? Sort off
This has to be one of the best films on the market. For me it has such a positive message…. Love, compassion and respect makes a family not the gender of the ‘parents’ Growing up and learning about who you are is painful at the best of times but throw in a dysfunctional father and sister and it becomes almost impossible. This is not just a gay film its a film about life and believing you can have it all. This film deserves its 5 stars for the quality of the acting and its subject matter. A must see
I couldn’t agree more, Tish!
A friend pointed me to this film, I watched the trailers, liked what I saw and now I have it, but I still didn’t find the time to watch it. But, after this review, I really have to. ^^
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I can’t wait to read more movie reviews. While I’m pretty well informed about the books, I can’t say the same thing about gay-themed movies.
Clearly I love it, too, Sonia. And I agree…as I said, that’s one of the things I really like about it, is that it’s so real.
And you’re welcome, Leslie!
Hi Lady M,
This is definitely one you want to watch! It’s at the top of my fave list, and I own a pretty good sized collection of gay movies.
I’m looking forward to posting more reviews. I’m trying decide what to review next. Hmm….
How about a review on the French film ‘Just a question of love’ Another one of my watch over and over again films:)
Oooh, I have that one already in my review stack. Definitely a possibility!
More suggestions if you don’t have them: Sommersturm (Summer Storm in the US, also a here! movie), a German film. The art in that one is just gorgeous.
And yes, Shelter is one of my favorite movies of all time. I’ve been known to watch it over and over. I’m very excited about the novelization that’s coming out! (Ha, no pun intended.)
Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation, Jules. I’ve put it on my shopping list! Yay!
Hi ML
Welcome in your new capacity. I love movies, and gay movies would be a terrific addition to my collection (although your collection is probably the only one that rivals the video store)*g* I’m really looking forward to all your reviews – I know your writing is your priority, but when you have some time to spare it would be great to get your opinion on some of the terrific movies out there.
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I would like to add Brokeback Mountain to your growing list. I know how it ends but I would still like to see your review. I have been tempted time and again to review the book but never had the courage.
I can definitely do Brokeback at some point, Wave. In fact, I haven’t watched that in a long while, so it’ll be good to see it again.
Great review, M.L. Detailed and informative without giving too much away!
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Wave, thanks for adding this feature. Now, in light of your newly and neatly rearranged side bars (Wait – is that Hugh Jackman? Whoa!) are you going to add a link to film reviews?
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Just askin’. *g*
Wren
Of course that’s f…ing Hugh Jackman. You guys made me get tid of Storm!!!!!!!!
Of course there’s a link to film reviews – didn’t you find it? *g* Poor Christian. One more request!! It will be there later this week.
Well, yeah. Who wants to see Storm when there’s HJ?
I loved this movie and perhaps for one of the things that ML brings out so well in her review – that it’s a good *movie* first and foremost, regardless of the gay characters. It’s just a pleasure to watch, to see the emotional development brought out by the charm of the actors.
I love Shelter, too, for all the reasons you mention, M.L. — great review!
So many gay films seem to include a level of tragedy that I actually ff’ed to the end to make sure Cody’s story turned out all right, then I went back and watched the whole thing unfold! I’m a drama wimp!
My favorite scene is the first kiss. OMGsohotsosweetOMG.
I agree, Janey…I’m a sucker for a happy ending, too, and don’t love movies and books that don’t give it to me.
If this review has given you a hankering for a little Shaun and Zack action, and you’re not in a place where you can watch the movie, just a reminder that there are lots of good vids on YouTube. That’s what has gotten me through the morning…LOL
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ML, another movie you might want to add to your list: Gay Sex in the 70s. It’s an interesting documentary. It’s also available on Netflix as an “on demand” (watch instantly on your computer if you have a netflix account) so you don’t need to go hunting for it.
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L
Cool! I’ll check it out, Leslie. Thanks! And I do have a Netlifx account, so maybe I’ll get it there first.
I saw Shelter this last spring with a group of gay friends that get together occasionally for dinner and a movie. One of the group has a home theater!
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I remember seeing the beach and the surfers and thinking, ‘where are the ripped sexy surfers?’. Well, ok, so I got past the slim boyish guys and get captivated by the story. Ok, ok, so I look for hot sexy men in the videos I watch, jeez, give me a break. grin
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It is a great story and M.L gives a great review. Is she a writer or something? Got a way with words……..lol
John
I’ll answer your last question – M.L. Rhodes is a very well known author of M/M. she’s one of my favourite writers – never read any of her books that I didn’t like and so far I have read every single M/M book that she’s written. Here’s a link to her site
http://www.mlrhodeswriting.com/gayfic.html
Hey Wave,
I know all about M.L. I correspond with her privately since I first found True of Heart. I was being sarcastic. I guess I didn’t make that plain in my comments. Sorry. She’s my favorite m/m author too. I’m still collecting her books and anxiously waiting for Fires.
JOHN
Yep, he’s a friend, Wave!
He keeps me honest, and cracks the whip about Fires even harder than you do! LOL!
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XOXOX to you both!
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Yeah, yeah, John…I know you like your muscular hunks. LOL! Still, you’ve gotta admit, the guys in Shelter are pretty in their own way. *g*
This movie is made of awesome. It doesn’t have that cheesy air about it that some gay movies have. And it’s sweet. I just about melted when I watched this movie
Great review
[...] Shelter (M.L. Rhodes) [...]
[...] edge of the obsession-abyss on two or maybe even three different occasions. First was when I read M.L. Rhodes’ review of the movie Shelter, which reminded me I hadn’t watched it in a while. I pulled out the DVD, [...]
Thanks, M.L.!
As a not-so-recovering “Shelterholic”, your wonderful words could not have come at a better time. I absolutely love the film and am riding this wave of obsession while it lasts.