Shelter

Bettany doesn't pull any punches with this film, so don't expect some feel-good love story, and expect to feel really good about yourself when the final credits roll. This is a really nice piece of work, that speaks to how people end-up on the street, and why they stay; even if they decide to leave.

This piece is intended to make you re-think your views on homeless street people, and in my book does a really nice job. The film doesn't try to place the blame on anyone, which I really think brings the authenticity through.

I personally have not seen another motion picture that brought such resolution in my mind about street addicts; why they do it, how they got there, and what really our their choices once they partake.

For his debut as a writer/director Paul Bettany did a good job with this drama. Shelter, where Jennifer Connelly as one of the two main characters is also the wife of Paul Bettany, tells the two different stories of a couple of homeless people. Jennifer Connelly (as Hannah) and Anthony Mackie (Tahir) are both living on the streets and that because of different reasons and they both cope differently with their unfortunate position. They both try to help the other getting away from the street life. It's a nice story, with alot of emotions and images that reflect perfectly how some homeless people are living daily. The acting and filming are both good, with an interesting and sometimes sad story.

If you can't handle the truth about his life, just avoid this movie. It's pretty hard to watch.

Want a happy ending? Hallmark has plenty of them. This may be taking place at Christmas but it has more in common with the stories of the Grinch and Scrooge (before their redemption) than what you might hope for.

As the main characters pretend they really live in a luxurious house they broke into, and wear the clothes and use the fine glassware and other items, we see most of the film's few humorous moments, and we learn more about these characters.

On the subject of humor, Hannah has fun with a helium balloon while things are still desperate.

If this were a foreign language film or had somehow been condensed into a short film, I think we would be talking Oscar. As it is, it's just not the type of film that is popular enough to get nominations,

But I think this film has the quality writing and acting to be noticed by the Oscar people, or at least the Golden Globe people. It doesn't shy away from reality and teaches us a lot about what is like on the streets. The characters are not stereotypes and you wonder how they couldn't make it in life.

If you have the courage to put your self through this, and get out of your comfort zone, it is worth it.

Review: What an emotional movie! The acting from Jennifer Connelly, who plays Hannah and Anthony Mackie, Tahir, is superb and the deep story, about 2 homeless, lost souls who fall in love and struggle to live on the streets of New York, is brilliant. When Tahir becomes ill during a brutal winter, Hannah tries her hardest to find accommodation for them both, and she goes to the extreme to buy medication for Tahir. These 2 characters, really came from 2 different world's but when they join forces to find money, food and accommodation, there emotional journey goes from one extreme to another. The chemistry between Tahir and Hannah is excellent and very believable and the ending did bring a tear to my eye. Hannah is a heroin addict, who sadly lost her husband to a terrorist attack and she left her little boy with her father while she lives on the streets, finding ways to fund her habit. Tahir is a African immigrant who lives in America illegally and lost his wife and young boy, in a brutal way, in Africa. There are some different elements to the plot, which made this film quite enjoyable and the fact that many people are losing there houses and have to use food banks and shelter to live nowadays, gives this movie a truthful look into the extent that the homeless have to go to, just to make it through one day to the next. Anyway, I enjoyed this emotional drama but it's a shame that it didn't get the big distribution treatment that it deserved. Enjoyable!

Round-Up: This is the first movie, written and directed by Paul Bettany, 44, whose known for acting in some top class movies. He was brilliant in A Knights Tale and A Beautiful Mind in 2001 and quite scary as Silas in the Da Vinci Code. His voice became worldwide known when he starred in Iron Man as Jarvis and when he changed into human form in Avengers: Age of Ultron, it set a path for yet another superhero. For his directional debut, he really did pick a deep subject, which will touch many hearts and he done a great job by getting the most out of the top class actors. 

I recommend this movie to people who are into their dramas starring Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Mackie and Bruce Altman. 7/10

I have no words for this beautiful and unexpected piece of gem...i watched it and not sure what is all about ...but after watching it i was speechless....great topic and sure an eye opening subject ...Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie did a well job with their role...and i am surprised why its not well rated.i don't know why the junk movies are well rated that the producers are making and remaking it again and again...Paul Bettany is clearly sending a message with his debut direction and writing ..that he can do something with a topic that no other famous directors even bother to see.. its a powerful drama and worth watching... i think it deserve more than the average stars ...Go see it with your heart ...i am sure you will not regret it..