Shelter
Regent Releasing | Release Date: March 21, 2008
8.2
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 50 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
42
Mixed:
4
Negative:
4
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
JohnH.Apr 30, 2008
The two leads are hot, but they both turn in perfect, understated performances. Gay movies are too often poorly written and acted, but this one is a gem. Beautifully shot, and featuring songs by L.A.'s Shane Mack, SHELTER is about as The two leads are hot, but they both turn in perfect, understated performances. Gay movies are too often poorly written and acted, but this one is a gem. Beautifully shot, and featuring songs by L.A.'s Shane Mack, SHELTER is about as good as it gets.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
KwenMay 29, 2008
So Adorable. I absolutely loved this film. My friends nagged me until I saw it, and I didn't regret it at all. Totally worth two or three viewings.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
RhettL.Apr 7, 2008
A real movie that portrays the life of many gay men and their family situations. Emotional. Altruistic. Real.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
DavidKMar 30, 2009
This is an awesomely written and directed coming of age drama about a talented young man from San Pedro, California. The main characters in this film are well developed and very down-to-earth. It
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
TrevorK.Dec 1, 2008
This was such an inspiring, well made movie. It was the first movie to make me cry in a long time. (not that it was sad, it was inspiring).
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
DavidS.Mar 28, 2008
A realistic and moving portrayal of coming out for today's teens.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MattL.Apr 1, 2008
I liked this movie quite a bit. The setup in the beginning dragged on a bit, and the ending was wrapped up a little too quickly, but on the whole the movie was well done. The acting was very good, and the overall quality of the film was I liked this movie quite a bit. The setup in the beginning dragged on a bit, and the ending was wrapped up a little too quickly, but on the whole the movie was well done. The acting was very good, and the overall quality of the film was quite high, especially in a genre that has plenty of poorly acted and filmed movies. The characters felt real, as did their situations, which helped make this at least a notch or two above the typical coming-out flick.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
PaulK.May 22, 2008
This is more like a 6.5, but because I was completely taken with Shaun, Brad Rowe's character (even though the premise of his relationship with Zach is fairly implausible) I'm giving this a green number. I had never heard of Brad This is more like a 6.5, but because I was completely taken with Shaun, Brad Rowe's character (even though the premise of his relationship with Zach is fairly implausible) I'm giving this a green number. I had never heard of Brad Rowe before, but his performance was so strong and believable, I made a specific point to look him up on IMDB. The basic story is good(lower class surfer/artist falls for slightly older upper class surfer), but the story line falls in and out of "gay/coming out" cliches too easily and should have gone through a few more revisions. What was the point of Zach having a father? The story would have been more believable, especially with the situation with his sister at the end, if both his parents were MIA. Trevor Wright (Zach) does a good job with what he's given, but at times the dialogue, plot situations and the acting should have been more solid(especially from the supporting cast). Still, with all it's flaws I did enjoy Shelter. The ending (while wrapped up like a present) does touch upon the idea of two gay men being able to take care of a child; which gives Shelter some unexpected relevancy.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JaviZJun 23, 2008
All is good in this movie: actors, cinematography, music, story, and it really moves inside. At last, a gay-story close to reality.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JeffreyAAug 31, 2008
The performers were able to make this film trascend its material. Completely genuine characters reflecting completely genuine reactions to circumstances.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MartinJDec 5, 2009
Ditto! This is a movie for the heart that offers its fair share of intellectual rewards. What is particularly amazing is that it takes every trite romantic plot device and delivers them with a sense of intimacy and authenticity. The result Ditto! This is a movie for the heart that offers its fair share of intellectual rewards. What is particularly amazing is that it takes every trite romantic plot device and delivers them with a sense of intimacy and authenticity. The result is a universal love story about connecting with one's true self while reaching out to others.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
SamTJan 28, 2009
The movie is the best in the world. The story plot cannot be compared to anything. The acting was great and the music also played a very important role into making this film highly valuable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
mediaman23Jan 17, 2011
What a uplifting surprise! Being a baby boomer who was part of the Gay Liberation movement right after Stonewall, it was a special treat to, finally, see an American made independent film that handled human relationships so expertly. TheseWhat a uplifting surprise! Being a baby boomer who was part of the Gay Liberation movement right after Stonewall, it was a special treat to, finally, see an American made independent film that handled human relationships so expertly. These have been far and few, alas. This totally satisfying film deserves far more attention and acclaim. Well done, with a shout-out to an on-target Brad Rowe.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
jimmytancrediNov 6, 2011
I finished this movie and I'm really delighted. The script, with many clichés though, itâ
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
JoshSJul 16, 2012
Lots of plot holes, like forgetting about Zach's father in the wrap-up and the implausibly compressed one-month timing of the relationship. The characters are oversimplified--Gabe, the girlfriend, and Shaun are perfect in every wayLots of plot holes, like forgetting about Zach's father in the wrap-up and the implausibly compressed one-month timing of the relationship. The characters are oversimplified--Gabe, the girlfriend, and Shaun are perfect in every way (supportive, accepting, hot, good with kids, ...) while Jeannie is flawed in every way (homophobic, depressed, drug abuser, bad mother, unattractive, ...). Zach is deeply in the closet which causes him to be horrible to the perfect three above, but none of them care that he's gay and Shaun's gay anyway--so most of the drama is baseless. It's like the screenwriter forgot to add motivation and the director was hoping nobody would notice. A lot of the film is like that.

The two leads have chemistry and look good, which is a plus, though by the end I wanted Shaun to have at least one character flaw for interest's sake (he doesn't get any). The first half has a good amount of skin (no nudity), but the second half has almost none. In a movie like this there should be at least one good shot of an attractive shirtless man every ~10-15 minutes, and this movie failed there--but I digress. The love scene is cute. It could have used another, especially considering the script's many flaws.

As I write this, this is the lowest rating here. I don't know why everyone else likes this movie so well. The guy I watched it with shared my opinion. We later watched the original Starsky and Hutch which has a far better male-male relationship (and offers so many "Ho Yay" opportunities!); we enjoyed it much more. We're both kind of bummed about the lack of good, happy, gay male movies since this one seems to top the lists and yet neither of us liked it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
DdeAlvesDec 8, 2012
O filme é ótimo, belíssimas atuações, músicas, roteiro e cenário. Mesmo sendo um filme independente, é perfeito. Quem vê esse filme com certeza nunca esquece.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Rcavey92212Aug 18, 2020
Continuing my Pride month marathon I finally got around to this splendid gay film after lots of reccomendations. Centering around a young man named Zach who begins hanging out with his best friends gay brother played by hunky Brad RoweContinuing my Pride month marathon I finally got around to this splendid gay film after lots of reccomendations. Centering around a young man named Zach who begins hanging out with his best friends gay brother played by hunky Brad Rowe (Billy's Hollywood screen kiss). At first the two bond over surfing but it soon becomes something more as Zach has to deal with not only the effect of his relationship but the courage to pursue the life he wants. There's really nothing new here but it's done very well. The film is beautifully shot with solid chemistry from its leads and the story has a genuine, relatable feel due to the elevated, confident direction.

8/10… Expand
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