I don’t want to overtly go and call ‘Take Shelter’ a disappointment, because it’s not exactly that…I just didn’t fully get what I wanted out of it, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth that keeps my praise of the work in check. There are definitely things to like here, notably Michael Shannon’s excellent performance and Jessica Chastain’s terrific supporting turn, as well as many hints that writer/director Jeff Nichols has a bright future ahead, but I had major issues with the pacing and structure that the film chose to employ. It somewhat shoots itself in the foot in this regard. I like a slow burn as much as this next guy, but this story of a man possibly losing his mind and/or protecting his family from doom was just too slow, plain and simple. The film starts out with a lot of potential, but overstays its welcome by a good 20 minutes or so. A tighter grasp on the material could have led to me singing its praises like almost every other critic out there, but frankly, my thumb is down, albeit slightly. I definitely recognize what works in the flick, but I can’t overlook what doesn’t, and too much doesn’t work for me to get in line and speak of it as a cinematic highlight of the year.
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Tags: 2011 releases, Jessica Chastain, Michael Shannon, Oscar hopeful, Take Shelter
