Howdy all. A little internet bird told me this forum discusses this movie. Thanks to rightwhere_u_r's link, who I think is Snork here, I watched the movie a million times on the internet, and in processing and re-processing it, I am glad to have a place to post some thoughts. Also, I have found a lot of the reviews out there to be incredibly superficial, so that's another reason it's good to have a place like this! I skimmed the 26 pages of posts here, but please forgive me if I am redundant. These are the main themes of my thoughts:
The tragedy of Jeanne's life definitely clouds the happy ending of the film and makes me wonder why it is still considered a "feel good" movie. (I like the inclusion of her character, and am just saying how it effects my emotional reaction to the film.) She is going off with a man who is at least on some level abusive. She is leaving the only anchors she has, for something with hardly a remote chance of helping her life. She has lived in direct contrast to Zach's beauty, generosity, artistic gifts, ability to escape to the ocean, and now, a life with a respectful, giving partner. Looking to the future, her own options seem to be some kind of life with someone with no obviously redeeming qualities except the willingness to have her (but not the one she gave birth to) around. If she comes back from Oregon, where can she fit in to the family that is taking shape? Her character is done really well, I think, and adds a really interesting dimension to the film.
I wonder about Zach's decision to apply/go to art school being almost indistinguishable from his decision to be with Shaun. What if he had not gotten in, could there still be a healthy coming out and possibility of making a relationship with Shaun? In the otherwise wonderful final walkie-talkie scene, I feel like the move to be together was completely couched in terms of school. I did love in this scene that Zach said, "can you help me?" -- thereby making his move to "take what he wants" in this world, and accept help in doing so. And while I know there does not have to be blatant language about resuming/confirming their relationship, I wish he had said something that told Shaun he was accepting his sexuality and their relationship. Anyway, I loved the scene.
I like Shaun's character and wonder if he was kept purposefully a bit vague (what's the story of his breakup, how does he feel about falling in love with someone younger, etc.?) I love his equilibrium somehow, even though some critics have said he is too even-keeled! I love that he left a breakup and is coming back with two of his own new guys! Aesthetically, I loved Zach's street and bedroom art, and the "ghetto" of San Pedro backdrop, and loved them in the ocean. Okay, I haven't said much in the end, and now I am posting and running, but thanks for the Shelter topic here. I hope to be back!