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Shelf Life

  • 1993
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
93
YOUR RATING
Shelf Life (1993)
ComedyDramaMusical

In 1963, a paranoid middle-class couple locks themselves and their small kids in their nuclear fallout shelter. 30 years later, their oblivious son and two daughters still survive there play... Read allIn 1963, a paranoid middle-class couple locks themselves and their small kids in their nuclear fallout shelter. 30 years later, their oblivious son and two daughters still survive there playing absurd games. A play-based dark comedy.In 1963, a paranoid middle-class couple locks themselves and their small kids in their nuclear fallout shelter. 30 years later, their oblivious son and two daughters still survive there playing absurd games. A play-based dark comedy.

  • Director
    • Paul Bartel
  • Writers
    • O-Lan Jones
    • Andrea Stein
    • Jim Turner
  • Stars
    • O-Lan Jones
    • Andrea Stein
    • Jim Turner
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    93
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Paul Bartel
    • Writers
      • O-Lan Jones
      • Andrea Stein
      • Jim Turner
    • Stars
      • O-Lan Jones
      • Andrea Stein
      • Jim Turner
    • 5User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

    Andrea Stein in Shelf Life (1993)
    Shelf Life (1993)
    Shelf Life (1993)
    Paul Bartel, O-Lan Jones, Andrea Stein, and Jim Turner in Shelf Life (1993)
    Shelf Life (1993)

    Cast7

    Edit
    O-Lan Jones
    O-Lan Jones
    • Tina
    Andrea Stein
    • Pam…
    Jim Turner
    Jim Turner
    • Scotty…
    Paul Bartel
    Paul Bartel
    • Various Apparitions
    Justin Houchin
    • Young Scotty
    Shelby Lindley
    Shelby Lindley
    • Young Pam
    • (as Shelby Allison Lindley)
    Jazz Britany
    • Young Tina
    • Director
      • Paul Bartel
    • Writers
      • O-Lan Jones
      • Andrea Stein
      • Jim Turner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Last film directed by Paul Bartel.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Vihdoinkin pihalla (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      In My Moondream
      Performed by Andy Paley & Brian Wilson

      Composed by Andy Paley

      Produced & Arranged by Andy Paley

    User reviews5

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    An unusual busrt of (mostly) pure joy
    My 10 star rating is about enjoyment of this, not its cinematic quality.

    This is a stage play that's been filmed on the budget of a stage play - it's barely a movie. The 3 actors in the film wrote the play, fyi.

    The story is 3 kids (roughly 6 yrs old each) and their parents go into a bomb shelter in 1963...the parents die soon after...the kids raise each other in the bomb shelter. This is NOT about them getting out and seeing the world as fish out of water. It's the world and mythology and culture that they've created within their tiny fish bowl. Microcosm of our reality, and all that.

    Shelf Life is commentary upon religion, ritual, entertainment, society, and all the Things. And it comments with a deft and endlessly charming hand. O to be a child forever! One would become quite mad.

    It's really dang funny and loveable - provided you're up for watching a silly theatrical production with zero budget.

    Director Paul Bartel's added ending is Freudian, literally 4th wall breaking, and cute - but does undercut the actual, rather dark yet meaningful ending of the play. Oh well. It's still cute and lovable!

    (Most everyone I've shown this to didn't like it, fyi. Bunch of Scrooges, imao.)
    helpful•1
    2
    • jackrchang
    • May 23, 2020

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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