Review of Take Shelter (2011) by Walter M — 01 May 2013

In Elyria, Ohio, Curtis(Michael Shannon), a driller, is married to Samantha(Jessica Chastain). Together, they have a daughter, Hannah(Tova Stewart), who is hearing impaired, and are working to get her a cochlear implant. Even with times being tough, they are a happy family. At least, until Curtis starts having nightmares that involve his dog biting him and a storm to end all storms.

As a filmmaker, Jeff Nichols shows vast improvement here over his first film, the seriously overrated "Shotgun Stories." "Take Shelter" not only has a neat look, with good effects, especially for a modest film like this, but also a feeling of existential dread throughout. That's not to mention its incisive depiction of a working class family, including the delicate subject of health insurance.

About the storytelling, not so much, especially as it involves the details, as I would have liked to have seen more on religion, especially considering the subject matter. Come to think of it, there is probably more than just one psychiatrist in the entire state of Ohio, especially during the NFL season. In going for an either/or approach(forgetting about C) none of the above), the movie is less about a character facing his fears, either losing his mind or the entire world, than about one who is simply hedging his bets. And with an actor as inscrutable as Michael Shannon, it is very hard for most of the movie to have an idea what, if anything, his character is thinking.