When you review films, a hazard of the job is that you tend to watch quite a few of them. (Tough life, I hear all of you sigh.) You do grow slightly jaded, though. It takes a phenomenal film to raise your blood pressure, to make you forget that you are evaluating the film – and mostly, you see the end coming a mile away. (It has, of course, led to many an argument when you tell the person sitting next to you how the show will end, well before it ends.)

But Take Shelter blew my hair back. I did not see anything coming, let alone the end. I have subsequently offered my babysitting services to all my friends, for they must go and see this film. In other words, I am totally excited!

In a nutshell

Now here’s a dilemma: I can’t tell you jack about the film. You have to walk into the theatre and watch the film as the director intended you to – with a clean slate.

Mood of the film

Suspenseful, yes, but beautiful and tender. And that’s all I am going to say.

Best performance

It’s a tie! Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain.

Standout scene

I’m not saying.

Negatives

It’s over! I’ve seen it. I won’t ever experience again the joy of seeing it for the first time.

Is the film relevant today?

Totally! And then some.

Details

Cast: Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain
Director: Jeff Nichols
Runtime: 2 hours
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Reney’s Score: 99%