Shelter in Solitude

Through the course of decades of prison films that have come out of Hollywood, there have been ones based on a true story and those strictly written as fiction. "Shelter in Solitude" is one such film based in fiction, however is created with a feel that it could have been based on a true story or person. 

The year is 2020, just as the covid-19 pandemic is just starting. With only 10 days left until his execution, a prisoner Jackson (Peter Macon) on death row reluctantly develops a bond with a washed up country singer turned prison guard Val Fagan (Siobhan Fallon Hogan) and the warden Dwayne Fagan (Robert Patrick), who also happens to be Val's brother. Since the pandemic shut her local bar, she was desperate to work, so as one of the guards resigned, she decided to take his place, little did she know about what it's like working on a death row section of a prison. Val's persistence finally breaks the ice with Jackson and she learns so much more than meets the eye. 

Others to round out the cast are Dan Castellaneta as Sam, Peter Munson Hogan as Ofc. Chris Sullivan, Michael Oberholtzer as Kevin, Patricia Scanlon as Clara and Sinead Hogan as Jenny, the hippy.

This was directed with such reality and soberness by Vibeke Muasya ("Levinden" (TV movie) '04, "The Take-Away Bride" '05, "Lost in Africa" '10, "A Dog's Life" (TV movie) '13, "Rushed" '21, "Grethe Meyer: The Queen of Danish Design" (fiction scenes directed) '22, "Twisted" '22) plus shorts. This filmmaker definitely knows how to stage and pace his actors in achieving a realistic look at people who are in a difficult situation, whether it be capital punishment, the starting of covid-19 pandemic and certain bias'involved. It was delineated with such precision by a relative newcomer to the writing realm, Siobhan Fallon Hogan ("Rushed" '21) plus TV. The remarkable aspect of this writer is that besides the one and only other film she has written, she has only worked for one other TV series for a limited amount of episodes. This film was constructed in a concise, cohesive and sequenced in a way where the fluidity of the script seemed effortless. Hogan is clearly a natural and will definitively go far as a screenwriter. Even though she is an actor, writing is a much a talent with Hogan. I can't wait to see what she writes next, and there will definitely be a next. 

Even though there was an element of humor in this film, the message was clear and sobering. The writing, directing and acting was consummate. It's sad that we can't see more of these films that are artistically crafted well, but this being an independent film automatically equates with a well-honed movie. Whatever side one is on when talking about capital punishment, this is a film that will cause all to think about their position.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                         Rated: R                                         92mins.