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Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe, Tina Holmes, Jackson Wurth, Ross Thomas ... see more see more... , Katie Walder , Albert Reed , Joy Gohring , Matt Bushell

Love brings together two men who aren't sure where to fit a relationship into their lives in this romantic drama. Living in the oceanfront working-class community of San Pedro, Zach (Trevor Wright) is... read more read more... a young man in his early twenties who has been forced into the role of emotional anchor for his dysfunctional family; his mother his dead, his father is too ill to work, his sister Jeannie (Tina Holmes) is too busy partying to look after her five-year-old son Cody (Jackson Wurth), and Zach is the only one with the wherewithal to hold down a job and keep the rent paid. He's sacrificed his dream of attending CalArts in order to help Jeannie raise Cody. Between cooking at a diner and looking after Cody, Zach has little in the way of spare time, but as often as he can he heads to the beach to indulge his passion for surfing. While hanging out with his surfing buddy Gabe (Ross Thomas), Zach meets Gabe's brother, the struggling homosexual writer Shaun (Brad Rowe), who has taken a break from Tinseltown while rebounding from a dysfunctional relationship. Shaun goes surfing with Zach one day, and the two discover they're powerfully attracted to one another, and a flirtation turns into a love affair. As Shaun has to explain to his girlfriend why he no longer wants to be with her, Zach tries to make Jeannie and his father understand why he's come out of the closet. Shelter was produced for the gay and lesbian-oriented cable television network Here, though it enjoyed a brief theatrical release before its broadcast premiere. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

86% liked it

3,393 ratings

Critics

58% liked it

19 critics

R, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: Jonah Markowitz

Release Date: June 16, 2007

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DVD Release Date: August 15, 2006

Stats: 604 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (604)

  • blacksheepboy
    March 26, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    A simple film that relies on the chemistry between Wright and Rowe, telling a sweet coming-of-age story about a young gay man trying to figure out what he wants in life. Unfortunately, it is also too conventional and predictable, with a lot of stereotyped conflicts.
  • RCCLBC
    December 16, 2011
    RCCLBC
    I hate using the term "gay themed film" because very often most of the "themes" in these films are just as relevant to all people...but this is the story of a guy discovering that he is attracted to a man and attempts (in a very homogenized "movie of the week" way) to express all... read more of the challenges that come with that discovery.

    The intent here is good and the story (while not very well written) is well acting. Unfortuantly the mediocre writting prevents you from ever sensing (much less actually feeling) much of the emotion that would be involved in a situation like this.

    It's a sweet film to spite it's stereotypical plot points (sadly there is always some truth in stereotypes), but because it never gets to deep into the emotions of the main ("gay") characters I don't think it serves as anything other then "light entertainment'.

    In other words - no ones opinoion or life is going to be changed by watching this. And that is ok, except for the fact that with a good cast like this - it could have been so much more.
  • stevenecarrier
    August 17, 2010
    stevenecarrier
    "Shelter" may feature a gay romance but it's a far cry from one of those cheesy gay movies. This is a film about a twenty something just trying to find out who he is, what he wants to do with his life and not feel selfish about it. It's a lovely coming of age story that is never ... read morecontrived and always rings true. Basically anyone can relate to this film.
  • Tomassgringo
    March 21, 2009
    Tomassgringo
    This is a great love story! Actually the first love story that honestly depicts love as I know it! This movie is real without stereotypes and/or exaggerations!! Great movie!!
  • jjnxn
    May 4, 2008
    jjnxn
    Wonderful! Sweet film, starts a little slow but well worth sticking with.
  • InaHH
    July 4, 2009
    InaHH
    Feelgood film about a young man finding himself and his sexual identity along the way. One of these films that are just there to make the audience happy - without being shallow. The acting is good, the leading couple is cute and believable.
  • SunilJawahir
    April 20, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    Quite a simple story and a bit sterotypical for a gay movie but I liked it.
  • alexyluthor
    February 22, 2009
    alexyluthor
    Someone told me it was one of the best films of 2007... either they only watched horrid films from 2007 or they have arguable taste... either way, nothing special.
  • jcooper9707
    December 27, 2010
    jcooper9707
    this has pretty good acting staring out. but don't let that deter you. you start following the storyline and what it bring about 10 minutes in the movie. this is really great and sends a good message.
  • randymcdonald83
    August 13, 2010
    randymcdonald83
    I feel that flixster should add gay friendly movies to their watch movies section, cause I feel are needs aren't met and it would be wonderful also for young gays to understand some of the things that are within the culture such as: Safe sex,Aids awarness,and Gay Love. And I know... read more that there are young gays on every website, please I urge you to add movies and start education gay youth
    XxAidenGrayxX

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Critic Reviews

Jim Emerson
April 4, 2008
Jim Emerson, Chicago Sun-Times

A coming-out, coming-of-age movie that is mediocre and very well-intentioned. Full Review

Sid Smith
April 3, 2008
Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune

Shelter may only be shoreline deep, and its ending fanciful, but the film captures the beauty, thrill and ache of young love and extracts a casual joy out of the process. Full Review

Wesley Morris
March 28, 2008
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Shelter is a gay movie like other American gay movies. Boy meets boy. Boy comes out. Boys fight opposition. Opposition caves. If there's life beyond the closet, too few movies know it exists. Full Review

David Wiegand
March 28, 2008
David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle

Shelter rises very high indeed, thanks to a superb performance by Trevor Wright in the lead role, a strong supporting cast, very good cinematography and, most of all, emotional authenticity. Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis
March 28, 2008
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

A confused young artist is torn between his family and his future in Shelter, a sensitive romantic drama from the writer and director Jonah Markowitz. Full Review

Ed Gonzalez
March 25, 2008
Ed Gonzalez, Village Voice

Well-acted but rife with cliché. Full Review

S. James Wegg
July 23, 2009
S. James Wegg, JWR

At the epicenter of this tale is Zach (Trevor Wright is always a pleasure to watch but the measure of his acting talent requires a script with more scope to reveal his depth). Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh
September 21, 2008
Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl

Complex characterizations by Wright and Rowe and outstanding cinematography by Joseph White make this film particularly worth checking out. Full Review

Austin Kennedy
June 8, 2008
Austin Kennedy, Sin Magazine

It feels like it's written by a film school freshman that's trying to be innovative, but everything feels forced and flat. Full Review

Grant Butler
April 11, 2008
Grant Butler, Oregonian

There's real chemistry between the two actors. Full Review

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Shelter Trivia

  • George Lucas was a cameraman on this 1970 rock documentary, but due to a camera jam, the footage he shot was unusable and does not appear in the final version of the film.  Answer »
  • Which movie contained these elements: Brendan Fraser; swing music; Christopher Walken; a bomb shelter and an adult book store?  Answer »
  • In the recent box office smash The Pursuit Of Happyness, starring Will Smith and his son Jayden Smith, what does his son drop while racing to reserve a spot at a local homeless shelter?  Answer »
  • Who battled mummys, grew up in a bomb shelter and can also swing from vines?  Answer »
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