Take Shelter (2011)

Haunting apocalyptic visions will make a man doubt himself, face his family, confront society, and build a shelter for what he thinks is coming.

One of my favourite underrated films of all time. It is a visually stunning film that allows actors to unleash their talent, the suspenseful narrative to naturally and patiently unfold, and the viewer to absorb what cinematic experience really means unconditionally. And that shows right off the bat from the opening sequence.

If you haven’t watched it, writer/director Jeff Nichols will get you wondering: Is it? Is it happening? Is it in his head? But that’s not just it. Think about it… How much “different” can society tolerate? How often were you sure you were right, and no one believed you? But… how many times were you sure you were right, and how did you feel when you realised you weren’t? Also, how many times have you truly followed your gut, no matter what everyone else thought or said?

Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain are a wonderful couple on screen, expressing all these doubts and beliefs and transgressing the rules. Shea Whigham is always underrated, and I hope a major festival acknowledges his talent one day and awards him, respectively. Last but not least, from beginning to end, pay attention to Adam Stone’s cinematography; it is absolutely thrilling.

Take Shelter leaves the viewer with some unanswered questions, but that’s part of the journey’s mystery and why a film’s flavour lasts way past the scrolling end credits.

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Solidarity for all the innocent lives who suffer the atrocities of war!

Stay safe!