Review of Take Shelter (2011) by Brett B — 29 Jun 2012

A terrific mood piece that is anchored by an exceptional performance from Michael Shannon, whose descent into mental illness feels incredibly believable and realistic. Jessica Chastain also does some very good, emotional work, and writer/director Nichols does a great job of generating a sense of mounting dread.

While the dialogue is occasionally on-the-nose, the script as a whole is solid, laying on tension and ambiguity with equal measure. The pacing is a little on the slow side, but that only serves to underline the paranoid nature of the story.

What the film is truly saying is up for debate, and its final moments should foster a great deal of conjecture, which is impressive.