Shell (2012) Reviews

• A character study in open remoteness

  cinematic_aficionado2013-03-23

  A lonely existence in an isolated spot, looking after an introverted epileptic father. In spite of the minimalistic tone both in terms of story, scenery and characters a good job has been done in terms of narrating the story of a father and a daughter in this seemingly isolated existence. What would have probably been intolerable for most, these two souls do not seem to mind, nor looking for a change in their situation. They have a close bond that surpasses everything and ties them together and to that place. The raggedly beautiful backdrop of the windy Scottish Highlands adds a pleasant variance to the ambiance of this story. A great thing about "Shell" is that the girl in the epicentre despite the remoteness in which she leaves she is popular among clients, some of whom openly express their feelings but it does not change her nor makes her full of herself. She always remains the girl at the gas station. A let down is the prevailing sense of misery that seems to be the norm in most of modern British cinema. Despite its contained nature, this is a careful and well exposed character study.

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• Complicated story, beautiful setting and very moving

  pale_pixie2013-08-08

  First, I just want to say that as a Scottish person, the father Pete sounded very English. I know now that he is from England, but you'd think that they could have found someone who could at least "sound" Scottish to play a Scottish man. Other than that, the location and beauty of the countryside, the photography, the flora and fauna is typical and unique to Scotland. Breathtaking. Many people in the cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh don't venture out too far into the highlands and they really should at least once in their lives. The story has a lot of twists and turns. The relationship is complicated between the daughter and father. All she knows is her little corner of the planet but now that she is 17, she has urges and yearnings for more from life. The father is really torn as he has done as much as he can to protect her all her life, home schooling her and even though he has constant personal struggles with his health, being a young man raising a daughter, he knows the day will come when she will have to leave. I was sad that he chose his own ending, thereby freeing both of them at the same time. The final part is when she realizes that staying where she is, the boyfriend will just replace the dad and her life will go nowhere, you are really glad to see her take the plunge. The ending does leave you satisfied. The whole story leaves you satisfied. No loose ends.

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• Compelling awkwardness

  tombsoft2014-08-19

  I recorded this not knowing what it was about, then set down to watch it 3 months later. As the movie progressed, clearly slower than most action movies, my curiosity and expectation turned into a growing sense of awkwardness as the scenes unfolded. A young woman unaware of - or grappling with her own sexuality becomes the focus of male urges in forbidden, fleeting or equally desperate desires. The location of desolate isolation intensifies the storyline of her yearning to break free from her roadside, family-tied prison-without-walls young life, and the pace becomes irrelevant or perhaps magnetizing. Genuine tension fills the air with each customer visit with growing concern of the outcome. This movie is a triumph in awkwardness. Well done Director.

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• Great, slow moving film, but worth

  soraya_raza2014-08-05

  I had not heard of this film before but watched it last night and found that although it was on late, I could not take my eyes off the screen. The film is slow moving, but the acting draws you in - it is not an action thriller,so don't expect much dialogue or excitement. The characters move around each other with ease and there is a pathos and understanding between the father and daughter where you root for them to find some happiness in their dreary, bleak lives, even if it is with each other. Taboo subject, touched on with delicacy and great acting. It is almost like a French film where the words are few, the acting looks easy as if they are not acting, but the result is mesmerising and very watchable for the audience. You do feel for the couple and for their circumstances, but looking around the countryside, you can see that it reflects their empty lives.

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• crafted consideration of existential questions, a cinematic treat

  clifee572014-10-10

  I rolled along at a comfortable slow burning pace, lapping up this visual naturalistic treat, which caught the light and spaciousness of the Highlands beautifully. Top acting especially from Shell, so committed, yet so "at ease" too. I like films that trigger a process, where in time insights emerge. Ties to blood & soil or freedom to a new relatedness to the world, devotion, purpose, meaning, self acceptance. I was engrossed by each interesting, believable character. The scene where the guy who'd bought Shell some jeans and went on to invade her space by a prolonged hug was quite moving despite its awkwardness, as the empathy conveyed by Shell was a rare phenomena and it's so refreshingly to see.

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