Shelter 2015

What started as an engaging character study falls apart when the cards that Tahir and Hannah are dealt are so obviously and overtly stacked against them at every turn.

Both actors bring confused dignity and downright anguish to their roles, and if Bettany eventually begins piling the woes on a bit heavy, they make you believe that as dark as things get, they're still more than possible.

Mr. Bettany's sketchy, unconvincing screenplay is more interested in Ms. Connelly's execution of exploitative stunts than in seriously examining the social crisis it purports to lament.

Despite its terrific performances and its great use of locations, Shelter doesn't have enough substance to hold your attention or linger in the mind for long.

In his earnest effort to depict how tough life is for the downtrodden, [Bettany] dogpiles his two protagonists with manufactured misery ...

Some people will find it too emotionally wrenching to watch, but there are moments of raw, understated sensitivity, encapsulating the ache of regret at the heart of Shelter.

A document on our judgment of the homeless-preconceptions and ignorance towards-as well as forgiveness.

Shelter feels like an act of penance for all involved, and Connelly's powerful performance perfectly captures the anguish of a woman rendered all but invisible by poverty.

While there are flashes of impressive direction - especially in his use of location - Bettany's woefully underwritten script almost immediately dogs Shelter down.

Paul Bettany makes a strong impression with his first film as a writer-director, exploring the big issue of homelessness from a variety of pointed angles.

A mixed bag that gets some things right and is refreshing about others. It also fumbles about at times and feeds on old cliches that need to die.

Too soulful to write off as an exercise in movie stars playing at homelessness.