Posted: Tuesday 5th August 2008

Zach (Trevor Wright) is constantly putting his life on hold because of his sister Jeanne (Tina Holmes). Whilst Jeanne is busy with her new boyfriend, Zach is left at home to care for his nephew and his ailing father. All that is about to change when Zach splits from his on/off girlfriend Tori (Katie Walder) and starts to hang around with his best friend’s brother, Shaun (Brad Rowe). As their friendship intensifies, it becomes clear that Shaun may be interested in being more than friends. Zach is caught off-guard and finds himself having to come to terms with his true sexuality.

Shelter is a surprising movie and one that we can’t recommend highly enough. The way in which the film handles the relationship between Zach and Shaun is commendable with neither character being your stereotypical gay man. The relationship feels realistic and unfolds at a believable pace. Zach’s initial reaction after kissing Shaun typical of a young man struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Whilst Zach wants to be with Shaun he has to learn how to confront his own issues and those of the people surrounding him. His sister Jeanne does nothing to help frequently accusing him of being gay and making it clear that she doesn’t agree with homosexuality.

Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe have an undeniable chemistry that forms the heart of the movie. Wright plays Zach with the kind of sensitivity and conflict that anybody who has struggled with their sexuality can relate to. He doesn’t want to separated out because of his sexuality but he wants to be with Shaun and get on with his life. Rowe on the other hand is both charismatic and attractive and it’s not hard to see why Zach falls for him. He plays the role with confidence and his character is open and honest about his sexuality. Together the two spark off each other and make for a compelling onscreen pairing.

Shelter is accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack, mostly by country artist Shane Mack. Each song used perfectly captures the mood and the honesty of the lyrics suits the honesty of the movie’s story. It genuinely helps to give weight to the movie’s emotional moments and almost forced us to shed a tear.

This movie is one of the best we’ve seen in the GLBT category. The story is well-written, the performances compelling and the direction sensitive. Shelter is a hugely enjoyable 85 minutes and has a huge heart. Zach and Shaun’s story is moving and heart-warming and the movie’s third act packs an emotional punch. If you’re looking for a romantic-drama that you can believe in then Shelter is the movie for you.