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.
22 Reviews
The north end of anywhere
paul2001sw-116 November 2014
There are still places in the far north west of Scotland where you can drive for miles and scarcely see a house, with vast uninhabited moors between the roads, but for the most part, life in these parts is a story of small, remote communities that are communities nonetheless. Scott Graham's film takes us to lonelier place, however, the story of a young woman living an unhealthily close life with her needy, epileptic father: this might not be a normal life even in the highlands, but this a certainly a place where the daily practice of separation from others could lead to emotional isolation. The film follows the maxim of "show don't tell", which is often a good one; but here we only see a bleak portrait of empty lives, with exemplary incidents but little narrative: it's almost impossible to judge anyone as "good", "bad", or even "likeable" this far outside the normal physical and moral terrain. It's not an awful film, but a dash of something - humour, plot, malice - would not have gone amiss.
Simmering drama at an outlying roadside stop
shakercoola17 October 2019
A British drama; A story about a girl who works at a remote gas station on the West coast of Scotland with her father. Their physical isolation and reliance on each other trigger confusing emotions. This bleak, haunting, coming-of-age drama has a pacing perfectly poised for mystery, drama and tension. The film has a minimalist feel and while the story is slow burning it never loses momentum. The editing has occasional slackness but the direction is first rate and it helped produce some good performances and a crackling atmosphere.
Great, slow moving film, but worth
soraya_raza5 August 2014
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.
Difficult, Beautiful & Uncomfortable All At The Same Time
glitterynonsense27 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The remote bleakness of the location, the colour tone and slow lingering shots all pull you into the moment and despite the languid pace, keep you there.
The remoteness feels fitting given the subject matter of the film, a young woman barely more than a girl with no one but her dad and the bond they have which at times is uncomfortable to watch and always tense.
A petrol station regular (where the daughter works) becomes a little obsessed with her, and forces himself on her, albeit in a not overtly sexual way, but the reality of the vulnerability of life as a woman is tangible and this is another uncomfortable moment - I felt relive flood through me when he let go of her and left.
It's definitely not a feel-good film, but it does somewhat illustrate that these are two regular(ish), albeit isolated and severely co-dependent in the extreme people, but you don't hate either of them for it despite the wrongness.
It left me wondering what might have lead them to that point and what might be not quite right in their heads to have lead them there.
An interesting film with some beautiful locations and shots, slow-paced, but compelling all the same (not least because my name is Shell).
The remoteness feels fitting given the subject matter of the film, a young woman barely more than a girl with no one but her dad and the bond they have which at times is uncomfortable to watch and always tense.
A petrol station regular (where the daughter works) becomes a little obsessed with her, and forces himself on her, albeit in a not overtly sexual way, but the reality of the vulnerability of life as a woman is tangible and this is another uncomfortable moment - I felt relive flood through me when he let go of her and left.
It's definitely not a feel-good film, but it does somewhat illustrate that these are two regular(ish), albeit isolated and severely co-dependent in the extreme people, but you don't hate either of them for it despite the wrongness.
It left me wondering what might have lead them to that point and what might be not quite right in their heads to have lead them there.
An interesting film with some beautiful locations and shots, slow-paced, but compelling all the same (not least because my name is Shell).
Slow but well made
RIK-223 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Obviously its very hard to give this massively high marks, as the subject matter is not the most interesting. However I did enjoy it, it is slow paced, but has that knack of using silences to convey much more than dialog can.
One thing however is that I didn't see any review getting what I got from the story. I will come straight out with it, for me this was her being rejected by a father who had been molesting her since a young age. It was clear to me that now she was older, she was being rejected by her father. Her mother had perhaps left because of the situation or her leaving caused it.
There is a clear scene where a young girl wanders into the place and the mother is worried, as is the daughter, thinking he would go after a young girl again.
She has mixed emotions of loving her father as a father, but feeling rejected by father sexual love, so she goes of with some local boy briefly. In the end she is released and can move on.
One thing however is that I didn't see any review getting what I got from the story. I will come straight out with it, for me this was her being rejected by a father who had been molesting her since a young age. It was clear to me that now she was older, she was being rejected by her father. Her mother had perhaps left because of the situation or her leaving caused it.
There is a clear scene where a young girl wanders into the place and the mother is worried, as is the daughter, thinking he would go after a young girl again.
She has mixed emotions of loving her father as a father, but feeling rejected by father sexual love, so she goes of with some local boy briefly. In the end she is released and can move on.
Complicated story, beautiful setting and very moving
pale_pixie8 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
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.
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.
Missleading
davmburg28 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Unfortunately, the script for this movie came straight out of the little book of stereotypes. There's eating roadkill, a touch of incest desire and of course the extreme loneliness of living in the Highlands (why would you have petrol station where nobody comes past). Well the empty road look was achieved by getting the Police to hold up the traffic out off shot (me included) despite being shot in mid winter, the A832 is a busy road. The set was built in a lay-by just west of Badcaul and when filming was finished the set went into a skip, leaving no trace at all. If you have driven the North Coast 500 route you will have passed this location.
crafted consideration of existential questions, a cinematic treat
clifee5710 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
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.
A sense of isolation
Prismark1013 September 2018
Shell has wonderful shots of the sparse desolate landscapes of the remote communities in the highlands of Scotland.
Shell is also a film of few words but it comes across as drab and isolated as its setting.
Shell (Chloe Pirrie) is a teenager on the cusp of womanhood working at her dad's petrol station. It is a place frequented by locals and long distance lorry drivers. Her epileptic father Pete (Joseph Mawle) spends time scrapping cars in the garage attached to the petrol station. He has been looking after Shell since his wife abandoned them both many years ago.
Both are locked in and need each other. Pete realises that it is unhealthy for Shell to stay with him. There is little in these parts of the highlands that has something to offer Shell apart from lonely divorced men and frisky teenagers.
There is no narrative here, Shell provides warmth to those who visit. Her father remains distant, as he knows this is what life is like here. Always has been and always will be, he decides to take matters in his own hands to force a change.
There has been several dramas made in the past such as this set in remote communities. I am thinking of Morgan's Boy from 1984 set in a Welsh hill farm which went for a bleak ending but at least it had more drama.
Shell is also a film of few words but it comes across as drab and isolated as its setting.
Shell (Chloe Pirrie) is a teenager on the cusp of womanhood working at her dad's petrol station. It is a place frequented by locals and long distance lorry drivers. Her epileptic father Pete (Joseph Mawle) spends time scrapping cars in the garage attached to the petrol station. He has been looking after Shell since his wife abandoned them both many years ago.
Both are locked in and need each other. Pete realises that it is unhealthy for Shell to stay with him. There is little in these parts of the highlands that has something to offer Shell apart from lonely divorced men and frisky teenagers.
There is no narrative here, Shell provides warmth to those who visit. Her father remains distant, as he knows this is what life is like here. Always has been and always will be, he decides to take matters in his own hands to force a change.
There has been several dramas made in the past such as this set in remote communities. I am thinking of Morgan's Boy from 1984 set in a Welsh hill farm which went for a bleak ending but at least it had more drama.
A character study in open remoteness
cinematic_aficionado23 March 2013
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.
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.
Oddly intriguing
HumbleMensa22 August 2020
This film is interesting. The setting is beautiful and so are the shots. The story is thrilling, but not in a crime or horror or mystery sort of way. It's slow moving, but there is a reason doe that as it fits into the isolation. I won't go into details, but I did enjoy this film. Characters are good.
Depressing
billcr1220 July 2013
Shell is a seventeen year-old girl living with her father at a gas station in Scotland in the middle of nowhere. He sells old cars for scrap metal, while she pumps gas and cooks and cleans, much as a wife would do. Apparently, her mother headed for greener pastures and left dad and his daughter to fend for themselves. The movie drags on for an hour and a half, with no sense of humor or life to speak of. The almost incestuous overtone is creepy, as is some guy with a BMW who gives Shell a pair of expensive jeans for obvious reasons. The lead actress is very ordinary looking and her father seems to be the unhappiest man on earth. The two combine for an extremely depressing and meaningless drama which I cannot recommend for any reason. The one positive note is the beautiful Scottish countryside.
Location Perfect!!!!
Banshee2431 August 2014
I loved this film from the moment I read the Synopsis.
I need to figure out where this was actually filmed as the roads are spectacular and look like they make for some nice driving. The petrol Station is very cute indeed.
For me the weather and remoteness of the location made the whole film for me, it gave the impression of a great desperateness and struggle against the cold which seemed to parallel the emotions portrayed by all of the characters.
A few nice cars on show too including a very tidy "Q" plated Series II Land Rover Pickup kitted out with Recover Gear, and a very tidy 1976 Fiesta XR2i which appears to have been borrowed from a member of highlandoldskoolfords.co.uk
Watch out for an appearance from Michael Smiley (known more for his role as Benny in Luther) as Hugh a lonely regular who becomes a bit too close for comfort at times
I need to figure out where this was actually filmed as the roads are spectacular and look like they make for some nice driving. The petrol Station is very cute indeed.
For me the weather and remoteness of the location made the whole film for me, it gave the impression of a great desperateness and struggle against the cold which seemed to parallel the emotions portrayed by all of the characters.
A few nice cars on show too including a very tidy "Q" plated Series II Land Rover Pickup kitted out with Recover Gear, and a very tidy 1976 Fiesta XR2i which appears to have been borrowed from a member of highlandoldskoolfords.co.uk
Watch out for an appearance from Michael Smiley (known more for his role as Benny in Luther) as Hugh a lonely regular who becomes a bit too close for comfort at times
slow and not researched well enough
andychatfun5 August 2014
I just watched the Film Shell by Scott Graham on Film Four. Early on in the film the father has an epileptic fit and the daughter puts a rag of some sort in his mouth. This is of course against known medical advice and has not been advised for about 20 years !
In a later scene nearer the end of the film she puts her hand in his mouth, again no reason.
My main worry is that people will see the film and then put a cloth in my mouth the next time I have a seizure or someone Else's. This is very dangerous as you can choke on it and it restricts your breathing as well; plus you don't know what is on the cloth / rag. Lying on his side and not calling an ambulance was right, no injuries so just leave him to recover. But don't 'assault' him with oily rags, I'm amazed he didn't choke to death !
Well done to Scott for showing a character with epilepsy, but lets not make things worse for people who have seizures?
The film was okay, a bit bland and slow, boring really, I was side tracked at the start by the old fashioned idea of stuffing rags into peoples mouths - horrible.
In a later scene nearer the end of the film she puts her hand in his mouth, again no reason.
My main worry is that people will see the film and then put a cloth in my mouth the next time I have a seizure or someone Else's. This is very dangerous as you can choke on it and it restricts your breathing as well; plus you don't know what is on the cloth / rag. Lying on his side and not calling an ambulance was right, no injuries so just leave him to recover. But don't 'assault' him with oily rags, I'm amazed he didn't choke to death !
Well done to Scott for showing a character with epilepsy, but lets not make things worse for people who have seizures?
The film was okay, a bit bland and slow, boring really, I was side tracked at the start by the old fashioned idea of stuffing rags into peoples mouths - horrible.
Bleakness in the Scottish Highlands
xmal-1874727 January 2021
I came across this film via MyFlixer. I'm always attracted to the alternatives of life. This seemed like a indie cinema creation. The film itself was dark, broody and disturbing. It gave me some hope in the days of loneliness and covid 24/7 brainwashing. I liked the main character. She is stuck in her Dad's vortex of a petrol station. The blokes that patronise the petrol station, do so out of a fancy for her. The electricity between her and her old man is weird and desperate at the same time. There's not much conversation here, it's all said in the lack of conversation. A daughter imprisoned by her epileptic patriarch.
A touchy and difficult subject matter that she manages to escape after the main event. I liked it, it had all the darkness and desolation of any good British Film. It's worth your time, but don't expect much joviality.
turgid
magnuslhad4 February 2015
Scotland is a beautiful country, a staggeringly dramatic landscape that easily lends itself to cinema. Unfortunately, a film requires more than scenery, a point that is lost on the makers of Shell. A young woman lives an isolated life in a stark, barren setting, alone with her taciturn father. The male customers who visit her petrol station desire her. Women are suspicious of her. Shell seems over-attached to her father. What it all means and adds up to is anyone's guess. Films which throw up more questions than answers can be rewarding - such as Under the Skin, which makes better thematic use of a similar landscape. However, there has to be a glimpse of narrative coherence, a hint that more rewards are waiting if we make the effort to see beyond the surface. Sadly, Shell's waters run shallow in the extreme. Chloe Pirrie creates an atmosphere as brooding Shell, but the character does not grow or change. Joseph Mawle as the father evokes no familial bond. Rather than a father battling mental demons, I saw a bewildered actor. And Michael Smiley, so sinister and captivating in Kill List, is badly served by a script that eschews any attempt at character development. This film fails on multiple levels.
Dodgy medical advice aside, a really engaging film
RainyDaysandMondays28 September 2021
Please never put anything in the mouth of someone having a seizure. That advice is outdated and extremely unsafe. Also, for the love of all that is holy, do not put your hand in the mouth of a person having a seizure. That is just stupid. I do think films featuring medical conditions should have to be approved to ensure the public aren't being given misinformation that could endanger others.
Now that's out the way, I actually loved this film. It was uncomfortable, charming and sad all at once. Great leads who conveyed so much with so few words. Glad I watched it and would probably watch it again.
Now that's out the way, I actually loved this film. It was uncomfortable, charming and sad all at once. Great leads who conveyed so much with so few words. Glad I watched it and would probably watch it again.
How did this get funding?
bob_bear4 August 2013
Artsy-fartsy character study of creepy father and daughter combo stranded in the middle of nowhere. As the minutes of your life tick away never to return the only comfort to be had is the knowledge that at least your life is not as godawful as theirs.
One-note throughout, it plods, grimly towards it's dreary conclusion. Whoever thought this was worth funding clearly has more money than sense.
The acting is suitably stilted to the point of somnambulent. The dialog is largely monosyllabic.
All in all, it is truly the movie equivalent of watching paint dry. Not only was it never worth a trip to the cinema it isn't even worth a free download. Don't waste your electricity.
One-note throughout, it plods, grimly towards it's dreary conclusion. Whoever thought this was worth funding clearly has more money than sense.
The acting is suitably stilted to the point of somnambulent. The dialog is largely monosyllabic.
All in all, it is truly the movie equivalent of watching paint dry. Not only was it never worth a trip to the cinema it isn't even worth a free download. Don't waste your electricity.
Good
SB10013 December 2021
Sparse but beautiful film about the difficulties of emotional connection and loneliness in a place with few people; set in the Scottish Highlands. Chloe Pirrie is very good as the teenager who is oppressed by the weight of need - her own need for connection, and the needs of others which are placed upon her. This film says more in 90 minutes than many others do in a much longer time.
Disappointing
philipfoxe26 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Here is a perfect example of a movie that should never have got funding. We have a great, isolated, bleak landscape. A father and daughter deserted by a mother and wife. However we are given nothing to work with. No social or familial links explained. No feelings or thoughts ever discussed. All we get is silence, into which, I presume, we are expected to project our our own ideas. Why was Shell taken out of school? What's the relevance of the book 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter' left behind by a client? Then Dad and her start kissing and Dad starts to think she is his wife? Then he ups and kills himself. Honestly...a real pile of crap.
So what?
ICanNeverThinkOfAGoodUsername7 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I usually like films like this. Slightly unusual and in an isolated setting - they usually have a deeper meaning and are interesting to watch. This film was extremely boring. You don't really find out that much throughout the film. It lacks a lot of character development and development in general.
In some ways I'd say the film was confusing. For example Shell's father randomly fell to the floor and seemed to be having some sort of attack of some sort. I only found out he had epilepsy when I read a review on here! This was never mentioned throughout the film and it wasn't that obvious what was even going on. Shell's father fell to the floor then she put a towel in his mouth... It was never expanded upon on.
I really can't see a deeper meaning behind the film. Shell didn't want to leave her father but she wanted to find out what else was out there. That's basically the storyline.
I also found the film to be quite slow. When people were talking there were long silences... The film dragged out quite a bit and it was boring to say at the least.
I wouldn't recommend this film but maybe others could see something in the film that I couldn't.
In some ways I'd say the film was confusing. For example Shell's father randomly fell to the floor and seemed to be having some sort of attack of some sort. I only found out he had epilepsy when I read a review on here! This was never mentioned throughout the film and it wasn't that obvious what was even going on. Shell's father fell to the floor then she put a towel in his mouth... It was never expanded upon on.
I really can't see a deeper meaning behind the film. Shell didn't want to leave her father but she wanted to find out what else was out there. That's basically the storyline.
I also found the film to be quite slow. When people were talking there were long silences... The film dragged out quite a bit and it was boring to say at the least.
I wouldn't recommend this film but maybe others could see something in the film that I couldn't.
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