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Take Shelter
Friday 18th November 2011 | Osh
The world is coming to an end again, but this time it could all be inside one man’s head
You know modern audiences are getting desensitised when the cinematic apocalypse starts feeling passé. But how do you shake up a concept that literally couldn't pose more of a threat? M. Night Shyamalan decided plants were the enemy in The Happening, a twist as interesting as it was poorly handled. Writer/director Jeff Nichols is interested in no such a blame games, and instead strips things back to an uncomfortably personal level. Take Shelter sees a world coming to end, whether or not it's our world or that of one man is up for debate.
Micheal Shannon gives a rich, tormented performance as Curtis, a construction worker living in a rural town with his wife Samantha (Jessica Chaistain) and daughter Hannah (Tova Stewart). When he starts having apopalyptic visions that feel too real for comfort, Curtis decides to fix up the houses old bomb shelter. News of his behavior travels fast throughout the small, static community in which he and his family live, enraging Samantha and disturbing their friends.
After what was essentially his breakthrough performance in 2009s Revolutionary Road, Shannon once again proves why he's one of the most exciting actors around. As the state of his characters mental health becomes increasingly dubious, the audiences attention will stay firmly put as a result of Shannon's masterful portrayal. And while Chaistain may have acquired some Oscar buzz from her performance in The Help, Take Shelter sees her in similarly fine form; Samantha is strong and unwaveringly practical, the difference between her and her husband causing the films most chilling moments. Beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, Take Shelter is an intense character study like no other. Missing it would indeed be the end of the world.
You know modern audiences are getting desensitised when the cinematic apocalypse starts feeling passé. But how do you shake up a concept that literally couldn't pose more of a threat? M. Night Shyamalan decided plants were the enemy in The Happening, a twist as interesting as it was poorly handled. Writer/director Jeff Nichols is interested in no such a blame games, and instead strips things back to an uncomfortably personal level. Take Shelter sees a world coming to end, whether or not it's our world or that of one man is up for debate.
Micheal Shannon gives a rich, tormented performance as Curtis, a construction worker living in a rural town with his wife Samantha (Jessica Chaistain) and daughter Hannah (Tova Stewart). When he starts having apopalyptic visions that feel too real for comfort, Curtis decides to fix up the houses old bomb shelter. News of his behavior travels fast throughout the small, static community in which he and his family live, enraging Samantha and disturbing their friends.
After what was essentially his breakthrough performance in 2009s Revolutionary Road, Shannon once again proves why he's one of the most exciting actors around. As the state of his characters mental health becomes increasingly dubious, the audiences attention will stay firmly put as a result of Shannon's masterful portrayal. And while Chaistain may have acquired some Oscar buzz from her performance in The Help, Take Shelter sees her in similarly fine form; Samantha is strong and unwaveringly practical, the difference between her and her husband causing the films most chilling moments. Beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, Take Shelter is an intense character study like no other. Missing it would indeed be the end of the world.
