There seems to be a series of visions and dreams that the young couple and the father have been around for a long time. Now he is facing a series of visions at the end of the world and may be trying to find a way to protect his family from a coming storm or from himself, which has become a real danger.
When future film historians look back at the cultural fallout from America's financial collapse, 'Take Shelter' will be a key text. That is, if the storm doesn't sweep us all away.
While Take Shelter isn't by any means perfect - writer/director Jeff Nichols could use a refresher course on editing - it's a powerful film, displaying a devolvement into insanity that ultimately proves to be quite visionary.
Director Nichols walks a tightrope between giving us a dark, Gothic tale of misunderstood prophecy and a sobering lesson on the state of mental health care in rural America.
There's no suspense and little surprise. Just a long. slow grind to ruin.
The New Republic
June 20, 2013
In my estimate, this unique and frequently arresting film suffers from the monotony of the lead players' affect, and from the film's urge to have its gloomy cake and eat it.
