Shelter

Most gay movies are low budget and cheesy. This movie has great actors, gream film technique, a good screen play, a compelling plot, interesting characters, beautiful scenery, and leaves you feeling moved and challenged at the end. I'm glad I live in one of the cities where it is showing in theaters because I plan to go watch it again in a few days. I'm a bartender at a gay bar and asked many of my customers if they have ever seen a better gay movie. Everyone who has seen it said that nothing they have seen in the gay genre is as good. Highly recommended!

I was just as fascinated with Zach's sister, nephew, ex-girlfriend, and best friend as I was with the two male leads, that is a true compliment. I ordered this movie off Here! TV and watched it 5 times before the 24 hours elapsed. I quickly pre-ordered it from Amazon. I like all kinds of movies but some movies are content to just put two good-looking guys on screen, take their shirts off, let them get touchy and hope it plays. This one came through. You really wanted Zach to make the right decision and even agonized with what would become of little Cody if he didn't. And of course, two good-looking guys make out. That's a plus...not the whole show! Also, the soundtrack is wonderful! Truly a charming and inspiring romance.

I recently found this film, and can not wait until May 27th when it is released so that i can buy it. I have never written a review online before, but this film deserves to be seen. The main characters Zach and Sean are so sweet to one another and encouraging for each other that it makes this far better than most films. They trust one another and want each other to do well. i do not care for the sister character, but the little boy and Zach's best friend and Sean's brother are very good characters. The acting is stronger than most films, the story is very good. I almost felt like crying when the leads's sister keeps forcing him to take care of her and her son, while not having a life of his own. Thank god he meets and falls in love with Sean and that they end up taking care of her son, he will have a great life with two people who love him and love each other. A totally inspiring story.

"Shelter" is the homoerotic version of the Endless Summer, think of it as "The OC" with gay romance thrown in. Zach (Trevor Wright) is an aspiring artist. He wants to go to Cal Arts, but he has to deal with a promiscuous,intoxicated sister Jeanne, and care for his nephew. His father is addicted to painkillers and on disability. Zach lives in run-down San Pedro. He then encounters Shaun (Brad Rowe),the older brother of his friend Gabe. After a furtive, drunken kiss, Zach questions his sexual orientation, his relationship with his girlfriend Tori,and his art. He finally "comes out", with Tori and Gabe being supportive and compassionate. There's melodrama with the homophobic Jeanne. Still, it resolves with a happy ending.

"Shelter" is a gay "Juno." It's an indie movie, humbly made. The largely unknown cast bring realism to their roles. Wright shines as the conflicted Zach. The Southern California landscape is drenched in sunlight; the Pacific Ocean is almost another character, its waves and tides reflecting the leads' inner conflicts.

It does have some problematic aspects, however. Rowe portrays Shaun in a seemingly predatory way, and his "you're like your mother" to Zach comes across as... odd. The master/pupil relationship comes across as creepy. The plot also resolves itself too neatly. Jeanne's acceptance is sudden, deus ex machina. Then again, this is fiction, not a documentary. "Shelter" is a touching, sympathetic story. There's nothing flamboyant or over-the-top about it. Catch the wave!

What a WONDERFULLY romantic film! Like the other reviewers before me, I was besotted by the film. This is definitely one of the best gay themed movie to come in a long while. Production values, acting, actors were all top notch. Definitely something you would keep as a collector.