Take Shelter

Every now and again, a stellar film sleeps its way onto home video after a less than stellar theatrical run.  You sit in amazement, pondering just how such a story could go unnoticed.  Though a bit upset, you are thankful that you eventually got the chance to see it.

Take Shelter is one of those films.

Featuring Oscar-worthy performances from both Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, Jeff Nichols' Take Shelter is storytelling at its finest.  Curtis LaForche and his wife Samantha live in a small Ohio town where their six-year-old daughter can still play outside, and town picnics are a weekend staple to life.  When Curtis begins to have haunting dreams and disturbing visions, he opts to remain silent, releasing his thoughts through the construction of a storm shelter.  But his sudden erratic behavior puts a strain on his marriage, ultimately questioning if he truly understands the meaning behind his violent visions.

While the story isn't a complete sell, the stylized character study brought to the forefront by writer/director Jeff Nichols makes Taking Shelter a unique movie experience.  Shannon and Chastain share strong chemistry, resonating that of a married couple whose life has recently been sent through a whirlwind in relation to their daughter's health.  The little things seem to matter to this couple, a true-to-form example of real life living.  And while Shannon's Curtis resonates with a dark, secretive presence, the film's eerie and haunting buildup make his actions appear like an acceptable answer to his visions.

The bonus features on this indie darling are quite limited as viewers are given access to an audio commentary by writer/director Nichols and star Shannon, as well as a pair of deleted scenes.  But Take Shelter is such an outstanding film that the feature alone makes this purchase a must!