Of course, the question that goes unasked but becomes nonetheless unavoidable in our understanding of Zach is whether he’s really burdened by all of this responsibility, or whether he’s hiding behind it. When Zach isn’t slinging hash, or either breaking up or making up with his longtime girlfriend Tori (Katie Walder), he’s off surfing with his best friend Gabe (Ross Thomas). In the case of writer/director Jonah Markowitz’s feature film debut, “Shelter” rises very high indeed, thanks to a superb performance by Trevor Wright in the lead role, a strong supporting cast, very good cinematography and, most of all, emotional authenticity.įirst seen in the Bay Area at last year’s Frameline festival, “Shelter” is a film about a young man named Zach who works as a short-order cook and has turned down a full scholarship from Cal Arts in order to take care of his family, which includes his frail father, who was disabled in a work accident, his loser sister Jeanne (Tina Holmes) and her young son, Cody (Jackson Wurth).
Sometimes a film that otherwise relies on stock storylines and even skirts the fringes of old-fashioned melodrama can rise up on the strength of other elements.
