We the viewer are aware that something is wrong from the opening scenes as Curtis, played by Michael Shannon, is seen gazing in dismay at a sinister storm amassing overhead. His reaction in the film’s very first scene will demonstrate what is to come from an acting standpoint as Shannon manages to capture the grit and emotion of a loving family man who feels like he’s falling off the cliff of sanity. Michael Shannon won a Saturn Award for Best Performance with the part, deserves all the accolades as he delivers a performance that’s one of the most compelling you will witness.
Jessica Chastain plays Samantha, wife to Curtis and mother to a young deaf daughter. Chastain herself is a highly accomplished actress, and is excellent here working as the foundation of stability in Curtis’ life. That her husband is suddenly experiencing visions of impending doom and has taken to an obsessive construction of an elaborate storm shelter in the backyard doesn’t bother her as much as the idea of him not confiding his problems with her in the first place. We get a great balance of marital issues with the psychological distress of what may or may not be happening to Curtis.
Jeff Nichols wrote and directed “Take Shelter” and shows he has the chops as a rising star behind the camera. His use of visuals to depict the story are great. We get a perfect glimpse of the seemingly simple blue collar Midwestern existence of the LaForche family. Wide shots allow us to focus on the characters in the scene while still watching the skies beyond for whatever it is that may or may not be coming. Curtis LaForche is a regular guy, and it allows us to really feel for the character.
“Take Shelter” is a slow burn – and my only gripe is the burn may be a bit too slow for perfection. Clocking in at 121 minutes, while the story and performances are excellent, I felt that snipping a bit here and there would have served to launch the movie into the stratosphere of perfect. The visons Curtis has include some terrifying moments, but the story is more of a relaxed thriller than a true horror.
“Take Shelter” is a fun film to watch. It has masterful acting performances from its stars and an interesting story.
