MovieChat Forums > Shelter (2015) Discussion > Early notices are positive!

Early notices are positive!


Hollywood Reporter review:

A story of love and survival set in places where the homeless seek refuge in New York City, Shelter throws Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie together as two very different kinds of people who come to rely on each other. The directing debut of Connelly's husband, actor Paul Bettany, the picture will sound to jaded observers like a project designed to win the actress another Oscar, especially after one hears how she has transformed her body physically, in the manner of so many awardees before her. But Shelter plays like something more sincere, an empathetic if imperfect attempt to imagine life on the streets and find a specific story there. Two thoroughly convincing performances carry the film, which despite some truly rough images will play well with audiences looking for serious fare.


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/shelter-toronto-review-730775? utm_source=twitter

Twitter notices:


Chris Bythewood ‏@Cbyt 2h
Well done first time Writer/ Director #PaulBettany. #JenniferConnolly and @AnthonyMackie are beautiful. #Shelter #TIFF14


Daniaile Jarry ‏@daniaile 2h
#TIFF14 Paul Bettany's #Shelter. Brave movie with stand out performances by #JenniferConnelly and #AnthonyMackie


Baz Bamigboye ‏@BazBam 12m
Who knew actor Paul Bettany could direct?!His powerful first film @TIFF_NET has great performances from Jennifer Connelly & Anthony Mackie.


Baz Bamigboye ‏@BazBam 7m
Paul Bettany's Shelter is a movie made with compassion about what happens to people who fall by the wayside


Dave Karger ‏@davekarger 9h
Paul Bettany's Shelter may divide audiences but there's no denying it's another impressive & gutsy performance by Jennifer Connelly. #TIFF


This is all really promising! I hope it gets released in the UK.

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Rises to what? Mediocrity? He isn't getting that many positive reviews. It's a 6.8 right now. Maybe you should wait until more people see a movie before putting a crown on the director. The actors are the only ones getting good reviews, not the script or directing.

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Shelter is Paul's first film as a director, so of course it won't be perfect. Although the critics have presented mixed opinions on it (the general critical consensus seems to be that the film is somewhat over-wrought and veers too close to melodrama), the audience at the premiere seemed to find the film very successful and moving:

Dawn Bierschwal ‏@dawnbierschwal 6h
Just saw the premiere of @Paul_Bettany's Shelter produced by @bifrostpics. Wow. Wow. Wow! Connelly and Mackie were incredible! #TIFF14


Baba Yaga Press ‏@EmmaSeries 6h
Paul Bettany's directorial debut Shelter is stunningly raw, brilliant. Fearless performances from Connolly & Mackie. #MyTiffPicks #TIFF14


G ‏@subliminal_G 6h
Jennifer Connelly is absolutely gut wrenching in Shelter. One of the best performance I’ve seen in a long time by anyone! #tiff14


Helen Sarah ‏@helensarah101 7h
#JenniferConnelly gives a stunningly brave performance as a homeless heroin addict in Paul Bettany's 'Shelter' @TIFF_NET #TIFF14 #TIFF2014


Rick Byun ‏@ByUner 7h
#shelter Moving, disturbing, riveting. Important. Audience hailing #paulbettany #jenniferconnelly. Congrats #tiff14 pic.twitter.com/mW23Zj9YDU


nic919 ‏@nic919 7h
Shelter: film about plight of homeless directed by Paul Bettany and strong performances by Connolly and Mackie #TIFF14


Jaimie Marshall ‏@jaimiedalton 7h
Wow #Shelter was phenomenal. Jennifer Connelly was flawless. #TIFF14


m. ‏@marielphonehome 7h
Standing ovation for Paul Bettany's #SHELTER @TIFF_NET. Jennifer Connelly and @AnthonyMackie are so powerful together. So amazing. #tiff2014


I'm not sure what your beef is with Paul but I really think it's unnecessary to jump on the poster like this for making a positive comment. For a first film by a first-time screenwriter/director, Shelter is being pretty well received. Heck, most first-time directors would love to get a comment like this in Variety:

Nevertheless, the pic’s virtues are enough to make one hope this isn’t a directorial one-shot for Bettany.


http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/toronto-film-review-shelter-12012 99907/

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My "beef" with Paul is that when someone says "Bettany rises" and the film doesn't do that, then i have every right to point that out. Don't lecture people on what is necessary and not necessary on a post. Who died and made you the police of IMDB boards?

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No one made me the police of anything; I was merely saying that I felt your tone was uncalled for. I explained why, so hopefully you understand my reasons.

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I said from the beginning that this movie was going to be an overdone movie trying to make people feel bad for the homeless. if anything, based on what i have read from the critics, i have become even more sure of my belief that the homeless have done it to themselves. Bettany doesn't want people to judge homeless people but he is wrong. If my tax dollars have to go to help these people i can judge all i want.

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I hope he directs again as well, his direction seemed quite spot on, there were a lot of well made choices through out the film, and he got amazing performances out of everyone. The biggest flaws were not as a director so much as with the writing. I'm going to write an in depth review when I get back home to my computer after the festival on Monday, but Paul has what it takes directing wise. I'd be interested in seeing him direct a script written by someone else.

People I talked to in the theater after both showings all had strong emotional reactions to the film (some whom were sitting close to me I could tell by how they were reacting during the film, especially the second time around, I knew what was coming and would look around at people more than the first time to see.

Talking after there was some criticism from people on the characters back stories that they were too much, (I don't want to direct quote them even though I remember it, because it gives some spoilers.) without exception everyone I talked to was impressed with the performances and with the emotional impact the film gave.

I cannot understate how impressive Jennifer was in how she disappeared into this role, on a level we haven't seen for her before. If being directed by Paul is what brings that out then let's get them some more material to get started with. There are certainly many films of hers where I'd rather watch her In, where she entertained better,was more enjoyable, but from a pure becoming someone else front this is her best work, or tied for it.

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Thanks for all your thoughts on the film/Jennifer's performance. You make very intelligent and insightful comments. I look forward to reading your full review!

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I hope word of mouth is positive as I like to see Jennifer in the equation for best actress this year, as the category is a bit less stiff this year. I think it's time for a career revival for Mrs. Connelley.

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The only reason I can imagine for her not to be nominated would be if the film doesn't get released this year in a way that qualifies it (I may be wrong but just showing at a festival isn't enough, it has to have an actual theatrical release right?)

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I saw it also, & thought it was very powerful. Connelly deserves a best actress nomination.

On a related note, I was disappointed that the director in his speech at the premiere failed to mention the other actors/actresses in "Shelter"

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Did he at least mention Anthony Mackie?

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He did. Anthony Mackie couldn't attend since he was making another movie.

My point was that other actors/actresses should have been mentioned since they were sitting in the audience.

It just would have been a nice thing to do.

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Absolutely! If they were in the audience he should have asked them to at least stand up and be recognized. Too bad. He wanted his wife to get all the attention i guess.

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