Movie-a-Day Challenge: Take Shelter

Take shelter movie posterThis post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 210! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.

Hey friends!👋

So, I finally got around to watching “Take Shelter” (2011), that movie everyone’s been talking about for, like, forever. It’s directed by Jeff Nichols, who also did “Mud” and “Loving,” so I had pretty high hopes. And, well, it was a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest.

First off, let me just say that this movie is a total slow burn. And when I say slow, I mean s-l-o-w. We’re talking molasses in January slow. But don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing. It’s just… well, let’s just say you need a lot of patience to appreciate it. 🐌

The plot revolves around Curtis (played by Michael Shannon), who’s this construction worker living in Ohio with his wife, Samantha (Jessica Chastain), and their deaf daughter, Hannah. Curtis starts having these super intense, apocalyptic dreams 🌩️🌪️🐕‍🦺.

Now, these dreams are seriously vivid and creepy. They involve storm clouds, oily rain, tornadoes, and some pretty gnarly hallucinations such as like birds falling out of the sky. Curtis becomes convinced that these dreams are a premonition of a coming disaster.

And here’s where the tension starts to build. Curtis decides to take matters into his own hands and begins building a storm shelter in his backyard. You know, just in case. Now, this is where things get interesting. Curtis’s obsession with the shelter starts to consume him. He’s spending all his time and money on it, neglecting his family and job. His behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and people start to think he’s losing it. Even Samantha starts to doubt his sanity.

Michael Shannon does an incredible job portraying Curtis’s descent into obsession and paranoia. You can feel the weight of his fear and uncertainty in every scene. He totally embodies Curtis’s descent into madness. He’s brooding, intense, and utterly convincing. And Jessica Chastain, as always, delivers a stellar performance as the supportive yet concerned wife. Her character, Samantha, tries to hold everything together while grappling with her own doubts about Curtis’s sanity.

One of the things I loved about “Take Shelter” is how it blurs the line between reality and delusion. You’re constantly left wondering if Curtis is actually predicting the future or if he’s just succumbing to mental illness. And let me tell you, the suspense is real. There are moments where you’re just sitting there, biting your nails, waiting for something to happen. This ambiguity is what keeps you hooked, even though the pacing is, well, glacial.

“Take Shelter” is beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that captures the ominous beauty of storm clouds rolling in over the Ohio landscape. The soundtrack is haunting, adding to the overall sense of unease. But, and I can’t stress this enough, you need to be ready for a slow, meticulous build-up. It’s not a fast-paced thriller by any means. It’s more like a simmering pot that takes forever to come to a boil.

Now, I gotta be honest. When the climax finally hits, it’s… well, it’s something. The ending is ambiguous, to say the least. Some might find it satisfying, while others might feel a bit cheated after such a long wait. Personally, I’m still on the fence. I mean, was the slight payoff worth the hours of tension? I’m not so sure. 🤷‍♂️

Though the performances are incredible, the pacing is a major drawback. But if you’re into character-driven dramas with a psychological twist, “Take Shelter” might be right up your alley. Just be prepared for a slow journey. And maybe have some snacks on hand to keep you company.

Catch you on the flip side,
Roger

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