User reviews

I only recently found out about this movie and I'm so glad I did! The movie is so amazing and inspiring to watch. It is a great film and I would urge people to watch it if they have no already. However, if you like huge box office smashers with plenty of action, this movie is not for you. It's so true to real life and has the ability to inspire others. The storyline is very simple yet so interesting and moving. It's a simple movie with a beautiful meaning behind it and I'm so happy I got to see it. It is now definitely one of my best movies and I wish more people would make movies like this, instead of all the non meaningful rubbish thats out there today. I really do recommend people to watch it, especially if you are thinking about it, it is worth it and you will hopefully enjoy it as much as I did!

I attended the Outfest screening for this film last night and was mightily and pleasantly surprised. I'd read the descriptive blurb in the Outfest program and thought "Yeah, whatever...a surfer film." But it was at the John Ford Amphitheatre, my favorite festival venue, which, frankly, was my main reason to go last night. Within the first ten minutes, the venue was quite secondary. I was easily drawn into the story and found myself deeply moved soon in. Having grown up in small town America, the story held a profound resonance for me. Yet, even if that is not your particular experience, this film defies you not to be moved. If you are looking for imperfection here, you will find it. If you allow yourself to be engaged in the story, you won't be disappointed. This one will be with me for a while.

What an amazing movie about love, family, and relationships. It was great to watch a film that used characters that stepped outside of the gay stereotypes seen in most films. It was even better to see a movie that focused on the love (rather than the sex) between the two lead characters.

While there are some scenes that scream "low budget," the end product as a whole was very rewarding. The acting, writing, and directing were all solid.

After so many disappointing gay films, I'm thrilled to have a movie like this come along. If this is a sign of things to come in gay cinema, then I am excited about future films. If you haven't seen "Shelter" yet, go give it watch. You'll be glad you did. Enjoy.

I'm previewing a disc version for the Brisbane Queer Film Festival where Shelter screens on Saturday 24th May 2008. Even in this low res screener, Shelter shines as a film with huge heart, and one that's been made with equal care by the actors and all of the film-makers.

It's not at all like the angst-ridden abomination of a gay surf flick "Tan Lines". Surfing is simply a fact of life element in "Shelter" - it's not used or abused as a device.

"Shelter" is a beautifully edited, spectacular looking and luscious sounding film which is definitely character driven. Each of the main characters is carefully developed so that we quite soon decide that we really do care about Zach, his young nephew Cody and Zach's love interest, Shaun. We want things to work out for them.

We understand that Zach is in a bind - he's allowed himself to be the physical and emotional anchor for a progressively more dysfunctional family, but we know that he deserves much better life options. The writers and director of Shelter have done a fantastic job - not a look or word is wasted, and yet the whole pace of the film is very relaxed.

"Shelter" deserves every accolade that any individual or Festival might care to bestow.

Straight audiences must find "Shelter" to be equally rewarding. The film's theme is, after all, about love, honour and commitment. What could be more wholesome than that?

This has got to be the best film I've seen at the San Francisco LGBT film festival in years. The director and cast were in attendance at the world premiere and they were given a worthy standing ovation. Writer/director Jonah Markowitz did a fantastic job of flushing out real characters. Trevor Wright was a real natural and convincing as someone struggling to come out. He really made you feel his pain. The story about his codependent sister is dead-on. Brad Rowe is like a young Greg Kinnear. You can't help liking him. The soundtrack was excellent and I hope to see it released. This is the first film from here! Network and I hope to see more of this quality. Incidentally, I've noticed on the IMDb search that there are two other films being released in 2007 with the title "Shelter" and there a half dozen films in the past with the same title. Also, on the allmovie guide (AMG) site there is an Italian film with the same title. Interesting enough, that film is being shown at the SF LGBT festival and was changed to Shelter Me. Hopefully, the "surfer gay movie" will stand out.

I didn't know quite what I'd be seeing when I watched "Shelter." A lot of gay movies rely on stereotypes for laughs or wallow in their own grief. Thankfully, none of that showed up in "Shelter." While the movie is a love story that follows the formula of many of its predecessors, it does so in a straightforward and refreshing manner. The story gets right to the point and doesn't wallow on too many extraneous details. Just about all the acting is spot-on, from Wright to Rowe to Holmes--this is no amateur job. Much of the acting is understated, in fact, and not in-your-face.

There is an especially interesting undercurrent to the film, that of class difference. Zach is from a poorer, city-dwelling family that contrasts greatly with the suburban lifestyle of Shaun. This establishes all that's at stake in the two's relationship, and is a welcome alternative to many gay films which depict the lifestyles of middle- or upper-class people. Kudos to the filmmakers for showing us another side of LA.

It's not really about rich and poor, it's about honesty and honor, and the lack of it.

The one stand-up guy (Trevor Wright) reminds us that there actually *are* good, selfless people in the world. Zach has to deal with and master an unfair world, and part of that iniquity is himself, because he's gay. Trouble outside, trouble inside.

This is a very kind, wonderfully acted movie. Kudos to all involved.

It's odd that we need straight actors to convince us that gay folk are actually human, but these guys do it without apologies.

We should all be so kind.

Like any feel good romantic movie, Shelter leaves you smiling after the movie has ended. The problem is I'm not sure if it's a success in truly depicting the coming out process of Zach. As a story, I think it would have also been successful if it's a straight love story. Hence, the movie was successful in translating the formula that your usual straight romance movies use into a love story between two guys.

Is that a good thing? To some extent, yes but I actually find myself having a problem with it because the movie could have achieved greater heights if it was able to explore the coming out tale better… if it was able to exploit the journey of the decision process and how hard it was for Zach to come out of the closet which I think is something more unique to gay movies.

In my opinion, the two most laudable things about the movie are: (1) Trevor Wright's sensitive performance and amazingly surprising acting ensemble (also notable is Tina Holmes playing Zach's sister). It's very rare for independent low budget movies to employ great actors. Most of the cast are familiar to me from various TV shows and it's refreshing to see them showcase what they're capable off. I truly wish I could see more of Trevor Wright and Tina Holmes in mainstream movies in the future. (2) The screenplay's successful translation of the formula that makes straight love story effective.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Brokeback Mt., but I saw a screening of this film at the SF Gay and Lesbian Film Festival tonight and loved it as much as BBM and in some ways appreciated it more. At the Q & A after the screening the producer mentioned that the production company exec who green-lighted the project said he wanted to make "the anti-Brokeback," and in this I think they have succeeded magnificently. This is a genuine, heartfelt story about gay love minus all the tragedy and shattered lives. Which isn't to say there's no drama... Let's just say that some characters in the story have some problems, but mostly they're not a direct result of the love story at the film's core. For my money the acting (with avowed heterosexuals playing the gay roles, as in BBM) was more convincing, the kissing more natural, the sex scenes extremely sexy and moving; another milestone in the realistic portrayal of gay love and sex. The family setting provided a context that allowed one man's coming out story to be just one among many changes all families go through together while simultaneously putting some evil homophobic stereotypes to bed, you should pardon the expression, rather than dwelling on them as in BBM. Bravo to the filmmakers and excellent cast, and I hope you get a chance to see it soon if you weren't lucky enough to be among the 1400 people at the Castro theater tonight. Oh, and the lead actors are drop dead gorgeous and playing surfers. Enough said.

This film starts out in a very mundane and repetitive fashion, but once the two leads come together it starts to unify, and when they had their first kiss I became riveted.

Trevor Wright is mesmerizing and carries this film easily on his shoulders. What makes the film special is the naturalism with which he plays his part, and also the subtle blossoming of the love affair. Brad Rowe was also very good as the gay man trying to be just a little more butch all the time. I was totally moved and enchanted.

That being said, I must disagree that this film is better than Brokeback Mountain. The two can hardly be compared, and why would they be?

This film is inspiring and the acting is superb. Trevor Wright does an amazing job in making us believe he is struggling to be everything to his family while dealing with his sexuality. Brad Rowe is also incredible. Casting him with Trevor was perfect. They are a true couple in this story. Jonah will go far in his career if he continues to make outstanding films like this one! Nice job to here! Networks for producing such quality work. I would like to know how Jonah came up with the idea for Shelter? As the film gets distributed in theaters, I also hope it makes it to GLBT youth programs so that young audiences can see this film, and be proud of who they are.

i think that most people who 'loved' this movie would have called it mediocre at best if the main characters were straight. the acting in general was very poor and far from believable. seems like brad rowe was the only one who could act really, though he needs to practice the kissing bit, it was more like two chicken pecking each other. trevor wright, cute as he was, seemed more confused as an actor than the character himself. the story was OK, but had plenty rom com clichés translated into 'gay'. pictures were unsatisfactory. the ever repeating surf scenes looked like they were thrown in randomly. gay, straight, whatever, it was a poor one...

I saw this the other night at a screening in NYC...wasn't even going to go but decided at the last minute to go and so happy I did. This movie completely surprised me and impressed me. Wonderfully directed, great script and spot on acting. Absolutely the best gay themed movie I've seen since Brokeback Mountain and in some ways surpasses that movie. How refreshing to see a film that deals with gay characters and none of them have a disease or are all about sex. Not that there's anything wrong with that but it's about time we see more movies that represent the ENTIRE spectrum of the gay community. The situations here were believable...the two leads had actual chemistry and there was an overall realism to it that we've rarely seen on screen with gay characters. This film has absolute mainstream appeal to it...Go see it and bring your friends!

When I first watched this film, I was unprepared for and deeply moved by the honest and touching screenplay by director Jonah Markowitz and the superb quality of acting by a fine cast. Trevor Wright can be proud of his convincing and moving portrayal of a young man at a point in his life at which he is confused about and questioning his sexual orientation. Trevor Wright develops his character, Zach, in a completely natural and unforced manner. His control of his body language and facial expression -- particularly his eyes -- has to be seen to be believed in an actor of his age. His dialog flows naturally, giving one the impression that it is all being said for the first time. This last is true of the entire cast attesting to the knowing guidance of their director.

Also brilliant are the performances by Brad Rowe, Tina Holmes, Ross Thomas, Katie Walder and Jackson Wurth. Repeated viewing of the film makes even more clear the depth of characterizations by this very able cast. Most impressive is the emotion expressed by eye contact achieved between Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe -- something very uncommon and unforgettable in a film of this kind.

My only criticism is that a few scenes seem a little rushed. Another 8 to 10 minutes wouldn't have hurt this fine film. One example is the night scene in Zach's (Trevor Wright) backyard, beautifully shot incidentally, with the lights of the Vincent Thomas bridge in the background. A little more time could have been given to Zach's indecision to go to Shaun (Brad Rowe) and allow the scene to flow more naturally; a closeup of Zach's looking out at the bridge and then a shot of the bridge that will take him to Shaun might have been nice.

It is regrettable that this fine movie has not been given wide theatrical distribution.

Young gay kid Trevor Wright is living with his sister where he acts as the male role model in his young nephew's life. Wright and little Jackson Wurth really enjoy each other's company. Holmes's husband had died and she doesn't want to live with dear old homphobic dad who never liked the guy she married and beat up his son and threw him out of the house when he discovered that Wright was gay.

But Holmes has reservations too which come out when she leaves for a bit and Wright brings the kid along when he spends time with his surfing buddy Brad Rowe and the two get romantically involved. Would she have the same reservations if it was a woman Wright was seeing?

Shelter is a nice story about young gay life that doesn't involve, disease or promiscuity. It's not just a positive LGBT film but it shows there are actually people out there except for dear old dad who actually don't give sexual orientation another thought when evaluating the content of people's character.

A great film for young LGBT audiences.

Well shot, nice music, decent acting and cozy film. But it's your typical gay version of Cinderella. 20 minutes into the movie you'll know what will happen and indeed it will happen.

I really didn't know what to expect and didn't reread any reviews or the plot summary before watching. I was pleasantly surprised. Zach was a good kid, trying to mitigate the deficiencies of his sister's childrearing failures while holding down a McJob and helping with his disabled dad.

The film detailed his realisation that he should act on his true urges and dump his girlfriend Tori. It was a hard journey for him as a couple of people disapproved of his new relationship and there were rocky patches on the way.

However, this is a gentle, optimistic film and love needed to find a way. There was one gaping plot hole in the ending, but I don't want to get into spoilers. This is well worth ninety minutes of anyone's time.

I would have walked out of this film after half an hour, but my date insisted on staying since we'd paid for the tickets. Afterwards, he apologized, and agreed that we should have left early.

On the one hand, it's nice to see a gay film that's trying to be something more than a pointless parade of naked guys. On the other hand, this film hasn't found anything else to offer.

On the plus side: * Reasonably well shot * A gay film that actually tries to show grown up relationships and responsible human beings.

On the downside: * Very weak script * Painfully predictable plot * Bad casting. (There's a complete lack of chemistry between the two romantic leads) * Weak editing (The film keeps cutting away from the action to show long surfing montages that don't advance the plot in any way.)