Summary
Plagued by visions which foretell of an apocalyptic storm, Curtis struggles to convince his family and the community around them, that he isn’t going insane as he sinks everything into building a storm shelter.
My Thoughts
Some of my favorite films, if you haven’t noticed, are those that deal with questions of personal and communal identities, belief, action, epistemology, and the supernatural. In my personal view, these subjects are all tightly joined and are almost impossible to talk about with the referring to at least one or two of the others.
I’m surprised I don’t see more critic speaking of this movie in those terms, especially since they all recognize that the film is an acting powerhouse as well as being masterfully directed and written by Jeff Nichols (“Mud,” “Loving,” “Midnight Special”).
Jessica Chastain (“Tree of Life”) and Michael Shannon (“The Shape of Water”) are perfect in this film as a couple who are going through a most difficult time parenting a deaf child and working hard to barely make ends meet. Michael Shannon is especially good as his character begins to have visions and they seem to be coming true, at least to him.
The journey Shannon’s character, Curtis, goes on throughout the film showcases his acting talent as he simultaneously embodies, love and affection, fear of being right and fear of going insane, and doubt and faith.
The directing and writing is equally powerful as revelations, both in dream form and otherwise, come one after another, leaving Curtis is perpetual turmoil and terror. It is no small task to start your character off in a place of fear for his family’s lives and yet find new levels of dread and chaos for through which your character can grow and change.
As much as I love the acting and writing in this film, the themes are what take it from a 4 star to a five star film. I’m not sure why the only themes I seem to see critics discussing in this film are dread and tragedy. For me, the film does more.
The first thing that this film does is retell the story of Noah. However, it looks at the Biblical story from a different perspective. Instead of viewing it from God’s viewpoint, we see it from Curtis’ (Noah) and his family’s. This creates tension because the question of whether or not Curtis is wasting his time and life-savings is not answered by some voice from the heavens.
The people around him think he’s going insane and his wife is furious that he is making choices which not only seem to be foolish but are putting their daughter in jeopardy. On the one hand, if he saves their lives, the dreams were right and he is justified. On the other, if the dreams are wrong, he really is going insane, just like his mom did, and his family are burdened with his mental state as well as a being ruined financially and relationally.
This film has a lot to say about belief and knowledge stemming from a source you can’t explain or demonstrate clearly to another person. It is also an excellent portrayal of how I sometimes feel as a Christian, when people ask me what I think of certain things. How do you explain something supernatural to someone who doesn’t believe in it? I can’t and many times I don’t try because I know that people will just think I’m crazy.
Another thing this film does is enter into a cinematic conversation with films like “Through a Glass Darkly,” “Ordet,” “First Reformed,” and “Winter Light,” as well as a host of others I am forgetting or haven’t seen yet. These films revolve around many of the same questions as “Take Shelter.” This film certainly has its own take on those subjects but anyone who has seen those films should be hard pressed not to see the links between this film and those.
All in all, this film is a wonderful example of how American films can still be avenues for internal exploration and questioning. They aren’t all MARVEL Blockbusters but I, for one, am grateful that men like Jeff Nichols are making films which ask and explore the more enduring questions of the human experience.
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