Shelter (2007)

58% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(3,393 ratings)

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 a young man in his early twenties who has been forced into the role of emotional anchor for his… More 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 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Jonah Markowitz
Written By: Jonah Markowitz
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Jun 16, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Aug 15, 2006
Studio: Regent Releasing

Critic Reviews

Jim Emerson, Chicago Sun-Times
A coming-out, coming-of-age movie that is mediocre and very well-intentioned.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ed Gonzalez, Village Voice
Well-acted but rife with cliché.
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).
Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl
Complex characterizations by Wright and Rowe and outstanding cinematography by Joseph White make this film particularly worth checking out.
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.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
In the kennel of gay films, Shelter is a puppy dog: It's cute but it lacks bite.
Grant Butler, Oregonian
There's real chemistry between the two actors.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
An awkward, phony melodrama you don't need to be homophobic to hate.
Mark Keizer, Boxoffice Magazine
The first theatrical release from the here! Network's Independent Film Initiative, shaves the edges off the genre's hoariest tendencies, for which it deserves credit and will hopefully be the start of a trend. But it's still an uninspiring drama.
Brian Juergens, AfterElton.com
Shelter gives hope that gay romances have come of age.
David Noh, Film Journal International
All the muted, oh-so-painful male bonding grows tiresome and predictable.
Randy Myers, Contra Costa Times
In the sweet and sexy romance Shelter, the chemistry between two surfer guys magnetically played by Brad Rowe and newcomer Trevor Wright is so electric, so palatable that even the most ardent nitpickers won't break a sweat over the small stuff.
Chuck Wilson, L.A. Weekly
Rowe displays new authority and confidence, as if lately he's been looking in the mirror and seeing himself, rather than that other, more famous blond.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
The first project of the here! gay television network's new movie initiative, Shelter regrettably plays closer to Lifetime fodder.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

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.
Robert C

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… More
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 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.
Steven C

"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… More
"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 contrived and always rings true. Basically anyone can relate to this film.
Thomas J

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!!
jay n

Wonderful! Sweet film, starts a little slow but well worth sticking with.
Ina S

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.
Sunil J

Quite a simple story and a bit sterotypical for a gay movie but I liked it.
Sarah B

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.