"Shelter"

2014 * TV-MA * 1h 45m   This is not a happy film, but I think it deals with an important topic that's largely ignored in this country. Homelessness. It's all around us, and yet we rarely see it. And it's even rarer to to get an inside glimpse into the causes of it. This is the writing and directing debut for the British actor Paul Bettany, and what a powerful film it is. 

The story centers around Tahir (Anthony Mackie) and Hannah (Jennifer Connelly). Tahir is a Nigerian Muslim who's in this country on an expired visa. He lives on the street and earns a bit of money drumming on plastic buckets. Hannah is a suicidal heroin addict, who dumpster dives to survive. The two meet one day, and eventually fall in love. "Shelter" follows their gritty existence over the course of a couple years They move from shelter to shelter and gradually open up about their tragic histories and what brought them to life on the streets. 

While the film is not for the faint of heart, it grabs you right from the opening scene. As you learn about what brought them to the streets of New York, you really get involved in their lives and feel for them. I thought the acting from the two leads was terrific. And the camerawork puts you right there with them. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this film a shot. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card).