Shelter film review

›› Shelter ‹‹

a film by Jonah Markowitz.

2007 | 97 mins | US.

a captivating ode to love, life and to thy ownself, being true.

Dave says:

From writer and director Jonah Markowitz comes this captivating ode to love, life and to thy ownself, being true.

For this is the story of twenty-something Zach (Trevor Wright); a gifted artist with a-liking for street art and whose longing for higher education has been cast to the wind by way of having to take care of his sick father (Don Margolin), together with the demands of his single mother sister Jeanne (Tina Holmes); namely a girl who views him more as a 24/7 childminding service for her five-year-old son Cody (Jackson Wurth), than as a brother.

Yet all that is about to change when Zach's surfing buddy Gabe (Ross Thomas) temporarily exits stage left, only for his elder brother Shaun (Brad Rowe) to enter stage right, much to the concern of Jeanne who warns Zach that - he's gay. Not that this arrived as headline news, given Zach had already gained first hand experience of the fact, resulting in a sexual yearning that he must somehow come to terms with, alongside the needs of his sister, nephew and newfound boyfriend, let alone his relationship with his on-again / off-again girlfriend Tori (Katie Walder), coupled with his desire to study art in the world outside small town America.

In short, this is but a good old fashioned romance and one that frankly has a lot going for it. Yet behind all of the scenic Malibu shots and requisite surfing sequences, lies a realistic depiction of life at working class level, with jobs in diners and supermarkets in stark contrast to the stereotypical surfer lifestyle of beach barbecues, long boards and high waves.

Only into this poignant mix, Markowitz adds the issue of gay parenting, courtesy of Zach's gradual acceptance of his homosexuality being at odds with the bigoted views of his sister, concerned as she is over positive - 'think straight' role models for her son, all the while getting up close and personal with a hetero who shows little interest in the welfare of her child.

That Zach happens to fall in love with his best friend's big brother is a neat ploy played with zeal by the two leads, in a film that's enhanced by a fine supporting cast, including the solid work of Holmes and Thomas who wonderfully showcase the polar opposite of sexual acceptance, with Gabe being totally at ease with the sexuality of both his fraternal and surfing brothers.

Yet not surprisingly the stars of the show are the Wright / Rowe pairing who have a lush, natural chemistry between them, in spite of the many ups and downs of their relationship, by way of Zach's emotional journey to accept his true sexuality, let alone the destiny and very career path that awaits him. And it's here that we see Markowitz add a neat touch to the story, as the more mature man of the piece strives to make his young lover realize his hopes and dreams, as he has done having moved to Los Angeles to further his career as a writer.

Intercut with a series of video style montages, together with the stunning surf cinematography of David Warshauer, the result is a film that's as far removed from your typical surfing feature as you can get, being a deeply rewarding love story that speaks volumes on the inherent desire to go for your goals in life. Simply inspiring.

Quote: "I hear you've been hanging out with Shaun; you know about him - right?"

›› available as part of the TLA RELEASING catalogue: 11th August, 2008 / UK.

›› revised: Saturday, 14th December, 2024.

Gay Visibility - overt | Nudity - from the waist up | Overall - file under ... 3+ stars

›› archive reference #176 - revised ‹‹

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