Review of Take Shelter (2011) by Joe S — 10 Jul 2012

It shares the concept of "are they crazy, or is this really happening" with The Last Exorcism, but where that had more "terror and dread," because it kept you intrigued through a series of characters and events, this is more purely character drama with the "events" (hallucinations and dreams of the main character, as well as a sudden surge in expenses and crazy ideas for him) being a catalyst in those relationships rather than the focus themselves.

The characters are likable and engaging, and it's good enough to watch until the end, but if you drew one of those plot diagrams from your middle school English class (the triangles), "rising action would be a gigantic slant filled with minor occurrences leading to the double take ending.

It's a good movie, but you have to be pretty patient with it, and the pay off is interesting, but not mind blowing or all that much of a surprise.