Shelter (2014 film)

Shelter
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Bettany
Written byPaul Bettany
Produced by
  • Robert Ogden Barnum
  • Paul Bettany
  • Katie Mustard
  • Daniel Wagner
Starring
CinematographyPaula Huidobro
Edited byJohn F. Lyons
Music byJames Lavelle
Production
companies
  • Bifrost Pictures
  • The Bridge Finance Company
Distributed byScreen Media Films
Release dates
  • September 12, 2014 (2014-09-12) (TIFF)
  • November 13, 2015 (2015-11-13) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Shelter is a 2014 American drama film written and directed by Paul Bettany in his directorial debut. The film stars Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie, alongside a supporting cast featuring Rob Morgan, Amy Hargreaves, and Bruce Altman. It was released on November 13, 2015, by Screen Media Films.

Plot

Tahir, an illegal immigrant from Nigeria, and Hannah, a heroin addict, live homeless on the streets of Manhattan. Tahir, a devout Muslim who is polite to everyone he meets, survives by performing music in city parks, while Hannah lies, steals and sells her body to get her next fix. When Tahir saves Hannah from a suicide attempt, the two form a friendship. Over the year that follows, they share their pasts, and their friendship turns to love. Their circumstances begin to improve, but Tahir falls ill and eventually "joins" his wife and child who died in Nigeria. His love for Hannah helps her overcome her addiction and return to her son in California.

Cast

Production

On August 21, 2013, it was announced Paul Bettany would direct the film.[2]

Release

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2014.[3] On January 14, 2015, Screen Media Films acquired distribution rights to the film[4] and released it on November 13, 2015.[5]

Reception

Shelter has received generally mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 46%, based on 24 reviews, with an average score of 5.6/10.[6] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 43 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[7]

References

  1. ^ "SHELTER (18)". British Board of Film Classification. September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  2. ^ Kay, Jeremy (August 21, 2013). "Paul Bettany to direct Shelter". Screendaily.com. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  3. ^ Dennis Harvey (September 8, 2014). "'Shelter' Review: Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Mackie Star in Paul Bettany's Homelessness Drama". Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  4. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (January 14, 2015). "Screen Media Picks Up U.S. Rights to Paul Bettany's 'Shelter'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  5. ^ "Shelter Trailer: Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie Star in the Paul Bettany Film". ComingSoon.net. October 8, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  6. ^ "Shelter". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  7. ^ "Shelter Reviews". Metacritic. November 13, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2021.