Zach (Trevor Wright) and Shaun (Brad Rowe) star as surfers whose rapport turns into love
‘Shelter’ houses an unexpected romance
“Shelter”
Directed by Jonah Markowitz
March 28-April 3
Tribeca Cinemas
54 Varick Street
(646-229-2496; tribecacinemas.com)
By Lawrence Everett Forbes
Director Jonah Markowitz is obsessed with breakups, which play a critical role in his debut feature, “Shelter,” fresh off a well-received festival circuit. The film is set in San Pedro, a working-class town short on career possibilities and big on waves. Surfers Zach (Trevor Wright) and Shaun (Brad Rowe) meet at respective crossroads, as Zach faces rejection from the art school of his dreams and Shaun struggles with writer’s block. Their easy rapport develops into a strong friendship, which then morphs into an unexpected romance—with the potential to transform both their lives.
The greatest of the obstacles they face hinges on sexuality. Zach has a girlfriend, Tori, and is…straight. Shaun, on the other hand, is gay. Having recently broken up with a lover in L.A., he moves into the vacant family beach house.
As the film’s title suggests, home is the central theme of “Shelter.” Zach’s family life—his mother is dead and his father’s health is failing—casts him as head of household, and his responsibilities entail tending to his masochistic older sister Jeanne and her son, Cody. This is no easy feat considering his sister’s penchant for manipulating him into parenting Cody, as well as the town’s bleak economic prospects.
For a while, Zach darts between caring for his immediate family and cultivating the desire for a more integrated domestic life with Shaun, but he is ultimately forced to make crucial—and definite—decisions.
The script charts an age-old story of modern man: the deposed patriarch (Zach’s father), the homophobic lout (sister Jeanne’s boyfriend), Prince Charming (Shaun), Cinderfella (Zach), the enlightened and aloof (Gabe), and youth (Cody). Unfortunately, the female characters suffer from lack of dimension. Zach’s frustrated girlfriend comes off as more of a gay best friend, and his sister as a callow mattress. Zach’s relationship with his best friend Gabe—who also happens to be Shaun’s younger brother—appears to suffer the same superficial fate.
As a subject—both onscreen and in life—breakups and moving (on) create opportunities for change, because they push their petitioners’ identities beyond the confines of habit. Despite its shortcomings, the movie offers a rich and textured portrait of the real lives of gay youth, and this authentic depiction deserves recognition.
“Shelter” plays in limited release before its April 18 premiere on here! Networks and DVD release on May 27.
