The World Beyond BetterMost > The Culture Tent
Shelter: The "gay surfer movie" (it's so much more!). See it now and discuss it!
mariez:
--- Quote from: rdg64 on May 16, 2008, 11:02:44 pm --- I have always leaned away from seeing Ennis as as flawed an individual as some do, thinking more about his place and time and circumstance. But free will has got to figure in there, I know.
--- End quote ---
Hi again rdg! Well, Ennis - and Jack! - are certainly flawed individuals. I think AP was pretty deliberate about making sure they weren't idealized. But I'm not sure I would compare Ennis with Jeanne - sad figures both - but I see them as polar opposites in almost every way. I'm not sure Ennis had the foundation or support system to break out of his internal homophobia, but I do think Jeanne has the ability to break out of the cycle of bad choices she makes - she does have an emotional support system in Zach (and through him in Shaun) and Cody , if she chooses to see them as people to learn from and inspire her. But it certainly will take an attitude adjustment on her part - and maybe we saw a glimmer of that at the end of the movie (or maybe that's wishful thinking on my part!).
--- Quote from: rdg64 on May 16, 2008, 11:02:44 pm --- I think that aside from Zach coming to understand his sexuality, he badly needed the friendship and company and warmth that Shaun offered.
--- End quote ---
Oh, I think this is an excellent point! Zach and Shaun are similar in so many ways and you can see right away that they're compatible, even more so than Zach and Gabe. Except for the class/money difference, they really don't have an "opposites attract" aspect to their relationship that you often see portrayed. Both have a good sense of responsibility and common sense, both seem eager for a "family," neither one seem prone to melodrama, and I certainly wouldn't describe either of them as "high maintenance." And, yeah, even though Shaun is older and more experienced, I can definitely see where Zach, in certain situations, would be able to offer guidance to Shaun. A very nice balance.
Marie
Shakesthecoffecan:
I wonder about Shaun's perspective, did his gaydar pick up on Zach? After the initial kiss and sleeping on the patio he wants to talk to him about it but Zach is having none of it, until he gets his nerve up and goes back. From then on Shaun is like "He dude come on out, the water is fine". He already knows the ups and downs of the process and seems ready to commit the required patience because he sees what he wants.
oilgun:
==CONTAINS SPOILERS==
I finally saw SHELTER last night as part of the InsideOut film fest here in Toronto. I really enjoyed it even though it felt a bit like an after-school propaganda piece. The story was very predictable (almost from the start i wondered how they were going to make the mother disappear.) and I was disappointed that the straight couple had to be portrayed so negatively in order to make the gay couple acceptable parents by comparison. I mean only the most rabid homophobe would object to Cody going off to live with Zach & Shaun. Why do they have to make everything so black & white and obvious? Having said that, the adorable lead, Trevor Wright (who reminded me of Jake G) is a revelation and IMO elevates and saves the film. The theatre was packed and people loved it like mad!
Shakesthecoffecan:
--- Quote from: oilgun on May 17, 2008, 01:08:08 pm ---==CONTAINS SPOILERS==
I finally saw SHELTER last night as part of the InsideOut film fest here in Toronto. I really enjoyed it even though it felt a bit like an after-school propaganda piece. The story was very predictable (almost from the start i wondered how they were going to make the mother disappear.) and I was disappointed that the straight couple had to be portrayed so negatively in order to make the gay couple acceptable parents by comparison. I mean only the most rabid homophobe would object to Cody going off to live with Zach & Shaun. Why do they have to make everything so black & white and obvious? Having said that, the adorable lead, Trevor Wright (who reminded me of Jake G) is a revelation and IMO elevates and saves the film. The theatre was packed and people loved it like mad!
--- End quote ---
That puts me in mind of this dynamic I see going on in that Shaun's wealthy, enlightened family is cool with his and his orientation and Zach's poor family living in the "ghetto" (aka the other side of the bridge) are all ignorant, drunk and medicated single mother with a neglected son. Not always the case in RL, but you know I'm not a scene writer, ;)
Aloysius J. Gleek:
--- Quote from: oilgun on May 17, 2008, 01:08:08 pm ---I mean only the most rabid homophobe would object to Cody going off to live with Zach & Shaun. Why do they have to make everything so black & white and obvious?
--- End quote ---
Sigh. I know. But the movie means well--and there are a LOT of homophobes.
--- Quote from: oilgun on May 17, 2008, 01:08:08 pm ---Having said that, the adorable lead, Trevor Wright (who reminded me of Jake G) is a revelation and IMO elevates and saves the film.
--- End quote ---
I second that!
--- Quote from: oilgun on May 17, 2008, 01:08:08 pm ---The theatre was packed and people loved it like mad!
--- End quote ---
Yay!
;D
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