Boring and predictable... nothing else more.
Amazing, deep and disturbing .. Clearly both characters have an unspoken broken background
[7.1/10] I really don’t know what to make of Shame. At times it is a meditative look at two people processing unspecified trauma. At others, it’s a softcore porn movie with orchestral music and the standard indie color grading. Sometimes it’s a slow-spun but captivating glimpse of a man trying to reach through his addiction and find genuine relief and connection. At others it’s a dull, banal bit of navel-gazing that plods along until the next bit of graphic gratification. It’s a movie that kept one of my eyebrows raised for almost its entire runtime, that is neither bad nor good, neither insightful nor exploitative, but somewhere in between, which makes it compelling if nothing else.
The film tells the story of Brandon, a sex addict who immigrated from Ireland when he was a teenager who now lives in New York City as an adult. Much of the film’s most intense moments center on his interactions with his sister, appropriately named Sissy, a lounge singer who asks to crash at her brother’s place while she figures some things out. Along the way, Brandon tries to deal with his addiction, with his anger at his sister sleeping with his married boss, and at her discovering his predilections while he tries to make changes and falls back into old habits.
At first glance, Shame feels like a an updated imitator of American Psycho transposed onto the notion of sex addiction. But rather than satire or comedy, the 2011 film goes for deep introspection, and rounds out its characters in more deep and provocative ways. Brandon is low-key but almost preternaturally effective at satisfying his needs through a multitude of ways. He is not a heartless monster, but a human being who knows both how to hurt and be hurt. There’s a well of anger and pain behind his search for pleasure, for what seems like escape, emotions that his sister brings out.
And at the same time, while Sissy has less anger, she seems to have as much, if not more, pain, and the same sense of brokenness. There is a palpable atmosphere that the two of them have run away to this place, that they have endeavored to escape something, but that whatever it is followed them here, and still affects them in different ways. There’s an unspoken shadow of molestation or other abuse having been visited upon the siblings, one that is, admittedly, speculation on my part, but which seems hinted at on the edges of the film, and manifested in the complicated, at times uncomfortable psycho-sexual fixation the pair seem to have with one another.
What distinguishes the film beyond its sometimes-bold, sometimes-gratuitous subject matter, is the way it’s an absolute showcase for Michael Fassbender as Brandon and Carey Mulligan as Sissy. The former takes a subdued figure, and not only knows when to turn his volume up and down, but manages the find the almost imperceptible shifts in feeling and expression that tell the story of Brandon’s emotional journey is a film almost entirely bereft of exposition. The latter takes the Manic Pixie Dream Girl archetype and finds its dark underbelly, the lingering damage hidden behind the bright eyes of the free spirit who, in a lesser film, might be a prop and not a coequal, but differently-calibrated victim struggling to get by. While at times, the movie loses me, the performances, which are at the center of a film with nowhere else to go, are worth the price of admission.
And while the plot of the film, such at is, is more a restrained current than a driving force for a film that’s more a series of moments than a steady progression, some of those moments linger. At one point in the film, Brandon tries to cut through his innumerable disposable interactions and forge a genuine connection with his coworker-turned-date Marianne. The pair seem to have a certain concordance and chemistry beyond Brandon’s usual quietly predatory or preternatural attractant ways. And yet when he whisks her away to a hotel room in the middle of the day, he can’t perform sexually, as the fear of opening up or relating to another person or building something to last mentally unravels the man who normally cannot keep his appetites in check. It is a dispiriting moment, the deflating of the film’s hope spot for Brandon’s recovery.
Still, the film lands that there is a human connection that can get through to him -- his ties to his sister. As much as that relationship is clearly not a 100% healthy one, as much as Brandon himself is tried by it and tries to sever it, he cares enough to be panicked, to be upset, to be crestfallen when his sister tries to take her own life, in a way that nothing else in his world does. There seem to be some confused sexual feelings there (given some mirrored scenes and strange dynamics between them), potentially ones that stem from one’s abuse of the other, but the combination of love and revulsion, of hatred but longing, strike notes in Brandon’s affect, and his behavior, which nothing else in the world does. The film’s ending leaves it ambiguous whether Brandon’s painful acknowledgment of his connection after the equivalent of a bender devoted to his particular addiction is enough to change his path after, but in an intimate film, it’s the only relationship that moves him.
I admire the subtlety of Shame’s approach, its oft-awkward realness, how quiet and patient and unwilling to hold its audience’s hand it is. At times, though, that tack renders the film opaque and even boring. But even when it left me wondering where all this was heading, or if we had to spend this long on a given shot, it was clear to me that there was plenty going on under the hood. At the end of the day, I still don’t know if I like the film, with its strange notes and indie affections alongside its bold and resolute portrait of a slice of abuse and self-destruction, but I do know that I appreciate it.
This movie is as stupid as the scene where the man wipes the toilet seat before he STANDS in front of it to urinate!
"Are you with someone? Does he go down on you? I do... That's what I like to do."
Man, looks like sex addiction is exhausting and takes an emotional toll on some people. Michael Fassbender's performance is so good in this and his portrayal of disgust and pain feels pretty real. It's a little hard to describe this movie but I definitely recommend it.
what a fucking waste of time and money
Not an easy watch but worth it to see an amazing performance from Michael Fassbender.
The whole movie is a blurry experience. Nothing defined. Verging on pointless. The portrayal of the character wasn't right. I'm no sex addict expert. I've met a few self proclaimed ones who were just ego driven narcissists. I've worked with one who was a messed up pervert who by now has probably destroyed his family and life. Who was the guy in this movie? Promiscuous? Some sexual nomad from bar to bar?
Everyone has their addictions to get by in life, whether they be small indulgences or full-blown, but this is an honest and painful depiction of how sating one's ego with disposable "joy" can leave one feeling just that - disposable. It does leave you feeling a bit nihilistic at the end, though.
The cinematography is elegant, and the subway shots reminded me a lot of Blade Runner.
This is a second feature film from Director Steve McQueen, and Oh my god, does this guy have a good track record. This film is basically an amazing character study of a man played by Michael Fassbender, who is addicted to lust, but won't let himself experience a meaningful relationship. Drama unfolds between him and his sister, played by Carey Mulligan, and everything is so impressively shot, and well-acted, and well-written, and I love the soundtrack too. Except it sounds way too similar to the soundtrack for The Thin Red Line. That may take people out of the movie, however, the variations are great enough that it does not seem like a blatant copy.
Steve McQueen's use of long takes to emphasise emotion and to help the audience actually absorb information instead of seeing quick cuts is very well utilised. Steve McQueen favourite, Micheal Fassabender, did a terrific job of letting the audience interpret emotions through body movement and facial expression instead of dialogue (like every block buster nowadays). I could not visibly see any editing issues, audio problems or any type of technical post-production issue, again emphasising, just how talented Steve McQueen is. But all together, this is a masterful film. Definitely check it out.
Convincing masterpiece.
You can feel the shame.
Fassbender was awesome.
Agree, lifestyle like in American Psycho. But in shame he is destroying his mind and his body step by step.
The german protagonist will have a great future in Hollywood.
OK. He already appeared in big flicks.
This movie was pretty raw, in that it barely bothered with dialog or plot, but went straight for emotions and desires. It is well done on a technical level (some great shots there), and the acting by the always adorable Carey Mulligan and especially by Michael Fassbender were absolutely amazing. I'm not sure if I will watch it again, but I will definitely check out McQueens other work.
:-|
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This movie rated itself
Zag2me - you are spot on. I was thinking exactly the same regarding your comparison with American Psycho. Of course Shame has a completely different story and is the better film. The score is amazing. First see Michael Fassbender in Fish Tank and he has come on leaps and bounds...i will watch his career closely from now on.
Very strong and powerful movie that’ll make you feel the shame. If you come from a broken upbringing, and have suffered horrible addictions, or currently am an addict of any kind, this will probably be a good movie to help you open your eyes on how empty and unfulfilling the live of a addict really is. On that note, it probably will be a hard watch for some people because it will really strike close to home for some of you.
echoing abby seltzer in the art of psychiatry article she wrote—the portrayal of personality disorders and addiction are poignant and were handled with care but shown in their entirety. carey mulligan's embodiment of a bpd sufferer is authentic and disturbing, particularly the hysterical anguish she expresses more than once and her repeated boundary pushing. i'm not necessarily a fan of fassbender's given the accusations of domestic assault in his past, but his talent as an actor is undeniable. a lot of this movie depended on the cast's ability to convey emotional weight and full-bodied personalities despite giving very little insight to anyone's backstory or history, and no one falls short of that.
Outstanding performance by Michael Fassbender. It's a shame it didn't get the recognition it deserved by the Academy.
His sobbing near the end never fails to break my heart. Gets me every time . He’s like a little kid. I want to hug him and give him the life he wants. Free from all pain. :cry:
Amazing, the movie is suffocating and dense that becomes captivating
One of my favourite movies. Great performance from Michael Fassbender! Loved it!
It made me think a lot. I wonder what imperceptible choices may turn our lives in such a sadness loop. This film is very intense, at the point that makes you feel like there's no way out from the bad things happening in your life.
After 45 minutes I was really bored and up untill then the nervous waiter was the best thing in the movie. That about says it all.
Juicy movie. There is something terrifying. And simultaneously shocking.
I wanted to watch Shame again because I couldn't decide if I like it more than 12 Years a Slave.
I think both are very different films, each one with their unique power. Both have provided me amazing cinematic experiencies, both touched me and conected with me in such a strong way and I can equally say the same about Hunger. Steve McQueen keeps getting better and better, his films have the hability to stay in your mind and haunt you for days.
Michael Fassbender's acting skills are immense not just in here but in everything he does that's why he quickly became one of my favorite actors. I hope he and Steve McQueen continue to work together in the future.
Usually I'm good reading between the lines, but I have no idea what the authors want to say with this one.
Very weird =$
Michael Fassbender... great as always!
"Shame" makes into a lie the universal assumption in movies that orgasms provide a pleasure to be pursued. The film's opening shot shows Brandon awake in the morning, staring immobile into space. He could be a man prepared to commit suicide. He gets out of bed, goes into the shower and masturbates. It will be the first of his many orgasms, solitary and with company, that day. He never reveals emotion. He lives like a man compelled to follow an inevitable course.
Pretty cool movie, reminded me of American Psycho. Slightly awkward in places but very moving with the musical score and long cut scenes bringing a certain reality to the screen.
Shout by DeletedBlockedParent2015-02-22T09:42:13Z
Very adult themes and definitely not for everyone. Excellent acting, direction and script. The nonverbal communication in this film is heavy, exquisite and on point. Michael Fassbender is wonderful and so is Carey Mulligan as per usual. It is so sad. I barely have words for it. Everything is urgent and precarious all the time. The characters make you wonder what their back story is, what drives them, what propels them in to shameful acts and acute sadness. It is deeply saddening that there are people that we know and love that have to endure this level of pain and find no solace in the ones who love them. I would say that it is worth a watch. This movie examines very adult themes and is not for everyone. It is very RAW and honest in its voyeuristic approach having us share in the shame by our limited point of view. Again excellent direction. The dynamic between siblings is tenuous and a little disturbing to say the least. Definitely worth at least one watch if you are up for it and very open-minded.