Shame (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Mark W

  
  In 2008, director Steve McQueen made his directorial debut with the devastating drama "Hunger" about the last six weeks in the life of Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands. Michael Fassbender was his lead in that unflinching portrayal. Three years later, they reunite for this… More
  In 2008, director Steve McQueen made his directorial debut with the devastating drama "Hunger" about the last six weeks in the life of Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands. Michael Fassbender was his lead in that unflinching portrayal. Three years later, they reunite for this equally powerful drama about sex-addiction. Brandon Sullivan (Fassbender) is a successful New York businessman. He leads a comfortable lifestyle, including that of a bachelor, where he spends most of his evenings sleeping with different women. It all seems normal on the surface but the unexpected arrival of his sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) upturns a deeper side to him. It appears that his sexual appetite may be more serious than he's been willing to confront. Michael Fassbender has been steadily building a reputation for himself since he came to attention in McQueen's debut and followed it up with consistent turns in Andrea Arnold's "Fish Tank" and Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds". He's an actor in very high demand at the moment and judging by this performance alone, you can see why. This is as good as any he has delivered. If not better. Sometimes actors go above and beyond the call of duty; Harvey Keitel in "Bad Lieutenant" and Charlotte Gainsbourg in "AntiChrist" are a notable couple. Fassbender can be, courageously, included amongst them. He exposes himself in every sense of the word and delivers the most fearless and vulnerable performance of 2011. His portrayal of Brandon is a deeply complex piece of work. He's an enigmatic character that grooms and dresses immaculately. He takes pride in his appearance but not his actions. He cannot connect with people on an intimate level and as a result, develops a voracious appetite for sexual encounters and material. His lack of connection also extends to his emotionally fragile sister, who so obviously needs his help and it's the very arrival of his sibling that brings his shame to the forefront. His use of pornography, prostitutes and masterbation can't be hidden anymore. This is when he has to confront his own self-loathing and sexual addictions. His encounters are all meaningless and any that do show meaning, he can't perform. This is a truly harrowing character study of the failure or inability to truly connect with people - especially in the times and congested environments we live in. Despite the numerous sexual encounters, there is nothing erotic about this film. It's purely focused on the turmoil of one man's spiralling journey of self-harm. Carey Mulligan cannot go unmentioned for her emotional performance here also. Her role is not as in depth as the protagonist and she has less to work with but she's the catalyst for the unravelling of the film and brings a much needed heart into the mix. McQueen's direction is near flawless and meticulous in it's detail. He takes a step back from his actors and captures moments in facial expressions and eye contact. Words don't always need to be said and if anything, it's all the better for it. He allows an intelligence from his audience and he's aided by some stark and clinical cinematography by Sean Bobbitt, in capturing the emptiness in these damaged peoples lives. I have now lost count of the amount of film's and performances of 2011 that were, unforgivably, overlooked at the Oscars. This is most certainly one of them. The title of this film should be shouted continuously in the faces of the Academy voters. It's a disgrace it was omitted. This may prove to be a difficult or controversial film for some people. It's certainly not for the prudish or sensitive of heart but I, for one, think it's essential viewing. A powerful and provocative collaboration between Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender has developed and I can only hope they continue to make more films in the future.

• Saskia D

  
  Fassbender is Brandon, a succesfull, unattached sex-addict. Although his lifestyle seems like fun in the beginning, the desperation becomes more apparent as the movie progresses. And when his sister shows up needing a place to stay, the addiction takes on an entirely different form.… More
  Fassbender is Brandon, a succesfull, unattached sex-addict. Although his lifestyle seems like fun in the beginning, the desperation becomes more apparent as the movie progresses. And when his sister shows up needing a place to stay, the addiction takes on an entirely different form. Instead of liberating him, it becomes destructive. What I like about the movie, is that it manages to stay tasteful in spite of the subject and the more explicit scenes. Mulligan deserves to be mentioned here, she did good job playing Sissy, don't let that sweet face of her fool you.

• Anthony L

  
  There is no doubt in my mind that is a future classic. At last we have a film that defines an era and probably the next big actor/director relationship. Fassbender doesn't know how to act anyway but perfectly and Steve McQueen (no not that one) is proving himself to be the… More
  There is no doubt in my mind that is a future classic. At last we have a film that defines an era and probably the next big actor/director relationship. Fassbender doesn't know how to act anyway but perfectly and Steve McQueen (no not that one) is proving himself to be the director to watch out for. His visuals are captivating and beautiful, he could make a dog turd look good he's that talented and he's obviously not shy when choosing his subject matter. This is my favourite film about addiction along with The Man with the Golden Arm and probably the best since Requiem for a Dream, but obviously not about the same type of addiction. When Carey Mulligan's character declares that 'We're not bad people, we just come from a bad place' it kind of sums up the whole film without going into unnecessary details, it's all about the performances and the direction and this film has that in spades. Compelling and provocative and utterly sublime. Film of the year for me so far!

• Nicki M

  
  Good, but grim viewing. There is a lot of sex in this movie, but it's not erotic at all, so those looking for titillation need to keep looking. It is the story of two adult siblings who are both damaged in some way that is never explained. Slight on dialog, much is said from the… More
  Good, but grim viewing. There is a lot of sex in this movie, but it's not erotic at all, so those looking for titillation need to keep looking. It is the story of two adult siblings who are both damaged in some way that is never explained. Slight on dialog, much is said from the expressions and way this movie is shot. I really liked it, but at the same time, don't think I would watch it again. The scene near the end with the sister in the bathroom was particularly disturbing and sad.

• Dan S

  
  A powerful, searing look at a sex addict (Michael Fassbender) and his inability to break away from a destructive lifestyle that holds no end in sight. For those that can stomach the extreme, explicit sexuality that goes on in this film, the lead reason why it was tagged with an NC-17… More
  A powerful, searing look at a sex addict (Michael Fassbender) and his inability to break away from a destructive lifestyle that holds no end in sight. For those that can stomach the extreme, explicit sexuality that goes on in this film, the lead reason why it was tagged with an NC-17 rating, it is a film worthy of the praise it has received. It contains a message that is irrefutably important, especially nowadays as society is continuing to plummet into an unending hole of amorality. Too many films and too many musical artists glorify the subject of sex to be something carefree and innocent, but few auteurs like a Steve McQueen would have the skill and precision to take this phony stereotype and show all the ugliness many know exists, but refuse to acknowledge. Fassbender's performance is gloriously depressing, the way it should be, while Carey Mulligan (who plays his screwed up sister) provides a great supporting turn. It is not an easy movie to get through, it is often disturbing and it takes something that should be beautiful under the right setting and makes it utterly repulsive. The duo of McQueen and Fassbender (like it did in McQueen's debut film, the fantastic "Hunger") works like a charm again, and the result is one of the best films of 2011, as well as one of the hardest watches I can recall in quite some time.

• jay n

  
  Contains committed performances from Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan but grim, unsettling and certainly not a film for everyone. Carey performs a haunting unusual rendition of New York, New York full of despair and pain which pretty much encapulates the feeling of the picture.… More
  Contains committed performances from Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan but grim, unsettling and certainly not a film for everyone. Carey performs a haunting unusual rendition of New York, New York full of despair and pain which pretty much encapulates the feeling of the picture. Something to admire for the audacity of the makers and performers but hardly a movie that you would walk away from saying you enjoyed it.

• Tim S

  
  Definitely my favorite movie that I have seen from last year (granted I have not seen everything). Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan give amazing performances and Steve McQueen is my favorite new director. One of the best films about addiction I have seen since Panic in Needle… More
  Definitely my favorite movie that I have seen from last year (granted I have not seen everything). Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan give amazing performances and Steve McQueen is my favorite new director. One of the best films about addiction I have seen since Panic in Needle Park.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place."</i> In New York City, Brandon's carefully cultivated private life -- which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction -- is disrupted when his sister Sissy arrives unannounced for an indefinite… More
  <i>"We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place."</i> In New York City, Brandon's carefully cultivated private life -- which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction -- is disrupted when his sister Sissy arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> Shame is a film with little conversation that makes real pornography look romantic. Don't let the NC-17 rating fool you: there's no prurience here, just the story of a man, Brandon (Michael Fassbender), obsessed by sex, so dominated by it that when he is not trolling for women, he's watching porn on his computer, even at work. How he succeeds in the corporate world, distracted by his obsession and loading his computer with images, is one of the mysteries of a film that seems less interested in sex than in showing the addictive personality. Brandon doesn't so much long for the stimulation as he does contact with other human beings that requires a level of passion his own corporate and personal life don't give him. "Dour" would be the best way to describe him, a zombie of sorts who seeks prey to fill a need director Steve McQueen minimally spells out. Brandon seems to exist in a zone of solitude where sex is its lifeblood. The lift could just as well come from drugs, so indifferent does he seem to the normal stimulations of living. When his sis (Carey Mulligan) comes back onto his life, he resents her upsetting his self indulgent world, and yet as slutty and disorganized as she is, she forces him to look outward even if it is to see him in her. What the director/writer does not do is provide the much-needed background for their truancy, the family history to provide context for a brother and sister lost. To see Brandon shed a tear while Sis sings a slow version of New York, New York is to get a glimpse of an interior guarded most of the time by actor, script, and director. Needless to say, although little explanation is forthcoming, the sense of a wasted life is palpable, the depiction of an emotionally barren human being exceptional (witness the modern, barren Manhattan sets). Given Brandon's apparent talents in the corporate world, and his expert seduction record, it is indeed a "shame" he can't escape his self-imposed prison.

• Albert K

  
  Wow. Just... wow. "Shame" is a spiralingly scary portrayal of an addiction gone wrong. How can I say this -- everything exudes pitch dark realism at its worst. "Shame" is easily the best NC-17 rated movie of all time and one of the most, if not, the most mature… More
  Wow. Just... wow. "Shame" is a spiralingly scary portrayal of an addiction gone wrong. How can I say this -- everything exudes pitch dark realism at its worst. "Shame" is easily the best NC-17 rated movie of all time and one of the most, if not, the most mature movie of 2011. Michael Fassbender, man, I was a fan of yours after you stole the screen in "X-Men: First Class" and "Inglourious Basterds", but you took it to a whole 'nother level in this one. He is absolutely absorbing in every single scene he's in. Whether it comes down to Fassbender's quiet, soul-churning moments, or when his anger spurts forth, his performance speaks at thundering volumes. He easily steals the show. There were so many moments where I said to myself, "How did you act this part? You must've been through the same thing." Jean Dujardin won best actor for this year? Yeah, I agree he did an EXCELLENT job, but Fassbender easily kills it in this. With a direction that is patient but unafraid to delve into the dark depths that many people choose to hide, director Steve McQueen makes a near masterpiece that rightfully chooses not to explain things through dialogue, but simply let the audience observe the chaos that spirals into play. The results are riveting; by the end, I was shocked, not particularly "Requiem for a Dream" status by how disgusting things got, but by how heartbreakingly scary it is to see an addiction involuntarily strangle its hosts into deeper and more isolated areas. Yes, this movie has a gratuitous amount of sex in it, but that wasn't what made the movie disgusting nor appealing. It was an everyday thing for Michael Fassbender's character, Brandon, and yes, his inner demons was the struggle over the sex addiction, but there was much more to it then that. This is a multi-layered, extensively deep film that addresses and shows the horrors of these issues, but doesn't care to explain or address them with blatant dialogue that's thrown in for the sake of explanation. "Shame" is about shame. If it were about sex, it would've been called "Sex". For an NC-17 movie, this had one hell of a great production. It's cinematically beautiful and with editing that's unconventionally long but artistic. The score stirs and the direction is spot on. "Shame" is easily one of my favorite movies of 2011. It's disquieting, unapologetic, and gripping. "Shame" does have a vast amount of sex scenes and nudity, but luckily, it isn't used to commercialize sex -- in fact, it's used to show how abominable it is when used incorrectly. Incredibly absorbing movie. A must watch though the NC-17 rating was slapped on for a reason so, viewer discretion IS advised.

• KJ P

  
  Words can not begin to describe how genuinely real that this film feels. As Brandon (Michael Fassbender), a sex-crazed lunatic who spends every waking moment having sex or on his computer at work watching porn. This is definitely not your average mainstream story, and not even an… More
  Words can not begin to describe how genuinely real that this film feels. As Brandon (Michael Fassbender), a sex-crazed lunatic who spends every waking moment having sex or on his computer at work watching porn. This is definitely not your average mainstream story, and not even an original idea, but the way it is presented is so beautiful that you would be a fool not to like it. The performances are great and you hope that each character turns out the way you would like them to in the end. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this film, aside from the fact that they could have added a little more depth in a few plot points, rather than drag out the sex sequences. I highly recommend viewing this film with an open mind and not to judge either. This film represents pure beauty. A magnificent showing of true life emotions that some people truly have. "Shame" is a fantastic film!

• Rubia Carolina .

  
  Weak and pedantic, starting by the soundtrack that immediately "imposes" drama, making impossible an impartial view. Are nudity and "explicit" sex scenes still considered something transgressive and controversial? "Shame" brings up an uncomfortable… More
  Weak and pedantic, starting by the soundtrack that immediately "imposes" drama, making impossible an impartial view. Are nudity and "explicit" sex scenes still considered something transgressive and controversial? "Shame" brings up an uncomfortable theme, yes, but not uncomfortable to the point of causing shock as I´ve been reading everywhere. "Love Sick", for example, that clearly addresses incest, would be more disturbing since the characters do not show guilt and do not seem to have reasons for such a behavior (Sissy Sullivan: We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place). Not mentioning Louis Malle´s "Le souffle au coeur" and Bertolucci´s "La luna", just to keep into the incest subject. When a director abuses of sex scenes and / or violence - no matter how realistic the mise en scnène is supposed to be* - immediately comes to my mind "Lilya 4-Ever," one of the most disturbing films I've ever seen and that does not show almost anything. Abstractionism, sometimes, works better than tangibility, and erotism is definitely better than graphic nudity, even when the story is about a sex addict. The erotism, unfortunately, has disappeared; the erotism that is "the very antithesis of this easy, expeditious and promiscuous sex in which paradoxically has been led to the freedom gained by the new generations".** *It doesn´t apply to films like "Kill Bill", for example, where the graphic violence is a satire. ** "La civilización del espectáculo", Mario Vargas Llosa.

• Al S

  
  A deep, dark, exquisite, memerizing and vastly intimate piece of art from Director, Steve McQueen. A triumph thats a real work of art. An astonishing, stylish, sexual and emotionally intense movie. A provocative and brilliant character portrait of a man leading to self destruction. An… More
  A deep, dark, exquisite, memerizing and vastly intimate piece of art from Director, Steve McQueen. A triumph thats a real work of art. An astonishing, stylish, sexual and emotionally intense movie. A provocative and brilliant character portrait of a man leading to self destruction. An unforgetable and powerful motion picture that definately leaves its mark as one of the best picutres of 2011. It goes where most films would not dare to go and nails it dead on beauifully. A gripping, heart-wrenching, very human and explosive experiance. Michael Fassbender gives a tour de force performance, his work commands the screen entirely and crafts a groundbreaking and outstanding movie star performance. One of the most absorbing and compelling performances of the year. Carey Mulligan is incrediable, she also gives an extroadinary and human performance. Mulligan and Fassbender have made their spot in Hollywood and with this film and their brilliant performances. A film that grabs you and dose not let go, even at the end it still leaves you unsettled. One of the true crowning works of the year.

• Stella D

  
  a brave film done with class and i expected nothing less from mcqueen. fassbender and mulligan are equally amazing. the storyline may seem a little cliche if only because addiction is addiction is addiction. it's never fun and it's always about something else and what that… More
  a brave film done with class and i expected nothing less from mcqueen. fassbender and mulligan are equally amazing. the storyline may seem a little cliche if only because addiction is addiction is addiction. it's never fun and it's always about something else and what that is is only hinted at here. fine by me

• Pedro H

  
  <i>Shame</i> <b>Shameless</b> It truly is a shame that Shame didn't reach my expectations. When I first heard of this movie I was extremely excited for it; the story, Fassbender and Mullligan. Finally a movie that was going to target sex-addiction.… More
  <i>Shame</i> <b>Shameless</b> It truly is a shame that Shame didn't reach my expectations. When I first heard of this movie I was extremely excited for it; the story, Fassbender and Mullligan. Finally a movie that was going to target sex-addiction. Unfortunately Shame wasn't as amazing as I had perceived it to be, but nevertheless it was <b>great</b>. Shame tells the story of Brandon (Fassbender) and his struggle to live with compulsive sex addiction. Brandon's life hits a peak once his sister Sissy (Mulligan) moves into his apartment in New York, and stirs up memories of a somewhat painful past. Shame, in my opinion was the perfect Oscar movie, and I am very disappointed that it wasn't nominated. This movie has so much potential and that's why I was a little frustrated with the outcome. But there are two things that are exceptional about this movie: the script and the acting - certainly one of the best in 2011. Fassbender is today's power actor. He is <b>phenomenal</b>. As Brandon, Fassbender proves to be a serious actor. Facing the difficulty of nudity, Fassbender is able to show how serious and professional he is. This is certainly his best role and by far one of the most jaw dropping acting I have seen in ages. The same applies to Mulligan, who hasn't been so convincing as she plays minor roles the majority of times; and even though her character as Sissy is minimal, when she comes on she steals the scene. The characters are great because it really is a character driven movie. The script of this movie is <b>precious</b>. I had the chance to read it, and I read it all in less than two hours. McQueen and Morgan really created a <b>masterpiece</b>. As the script progresses and you start falling under Brandon's hurricane, you really feel as though you have fallen into a spiral that is out of control. The script is moving, and I wish at times that McQueen stuck more to it. Another thing that worked well in this film was the sound editing and mixing. McQueen uses creative and innovative sound techniques that really bring the erotic of this movie to another level. At times just the simple piano and the orgasm noises mixed together told the entire story, and for that I give Shame a thumbs up. One thing that really didn't work was McQueen's cinematography. He tried to incorporate this blueish-grey tone to the movie that really made the movie a drag at times. Not for its lack of color, but the monocolor technique was tedious and unuseful - either than the fact that is looks likes Brandon's bed sheets, which he changes constantly after having sex. Sometimes McQueen really blew it with long boring shots, like the 20 minute scene were we just look at the back of Brandon's head. Therefore, I think visually this movie wasn't good. The long takes can really get boring. For its entirety, Shame is a brilliant film. It deals with an addiction society tends to mask: sex addiction. It does it in a subtle way, which with the lack of extravagance makes it more effective. The acting in this movie is superb. The script is wonderfully written. Although the long takes can get lame and repetitive. No matter what opinion you have towards this movie, it certainly is controversial and raises a lot of questions. I always love movies that do that! <u> Sissy: </u> <i>"We are not bad people, we just come from a bad place "</i>

• Mark R

  
  2011 was a hell of a year for Michael Fassbender, a year in which he effortlessly hopped genres and worked with some of the best directors around, building one of the most impressive filmographies of any young actor at this time. Yet the one performance that will be remembered over… More
  2011 was a hell of a year for Michael Fassbender, a year in which he effortlessly hopped genres and worked with some of the best directors around, building one of the most impressive filmographies of any young actor at this time. Yet the one performance that will be remembered over all others comes from the most low-key film, Steve McQueenâ(TM)s SHAME. As grim and uncomfortable as the film gets, it is simply impossible to turn away from Fassbenderâ(TM)s devastating performance as sex addict Brandon, and his omission from the Academy Award nominations, although perhaps not surprising given Hollywoodâ(TM)s trepidation regarding anything overly sexual, is far and away the greatest crime this awards season. Following up on his previous film HUNGER (also starring Fassbender), writer/director McQueen delivers an even more harrowing and haunting film with his sophomore effort. SHAME is a portrait of the vicious routine of addiction, and Fassbender strips himself completely bare, both literally and emotionally, following the arrival of Brandonâ(TM)s sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan). Although only briefly alluded to, clearly Brandon and Sissy come from a nightmarish background of abuse, and each sibling has developed crippling emotional problems as a result. Where Brandon is totally emotionally isolated, unable to connect on anything other than a purely physical level, Sissy craves closeness and love from her brother which he cannot give. Their relationship is unsurprisingly strained; with only the briefest moments of tenderness amongst their uneasy and oddly child-like interactions, and the tragedy of their shared experience has left them each dealing with their demons in completely different ways, leading to heart-breaking conflict. Sissyâ(TM)s appearance shatters Brandonâ(TM)s routine, forcing him to see the train-wreck that his life has become, and Fassbender gives everything in service of the role. As excellent as Fassbender and Mulligan are, they are more than complemented by McQueenâ(TM)s beautiful directing style. Coming from a visual arts background, naturally his compositions are flawless, and much like HUNGER, SHAMEâ(TM)s minimalist dialogue often comes in the form of long takes, adding a sense of unsettling realism which is occasionally difficult to endure. In very Kubrick-ian style, the directorâ(TM)s attention to detail in his locations also adds so much to the tone of the story. Brandonâ(TM)s sparsely furnished and decorated apartment works as a perfect counterpart to his character, revealing nothing on the surface yet filled with hidden clues about his addiction, and as such becomes an extension of his personality, making Sissyâ(TM)s presence all the more unwelcome. McQueenâ(TM)s choices of where to focus his camera are fascinating and, coupled with the suggestive imagery and euphemistic dialogue, subtly convey so much of what he wants to say, resulting in one of the most remarkable films of the year. Those expecting a concrete resolution will perhaps walk away disappointed, but for audiences with a high threshold for unpleasantness, SHAME is an absolute must-see. tinribs27.wordpress.com

• c0up  

  
  'Shame'. A deeply unsettling, thought provoking character study, sublimely directed by Steve McQueen. Michael Fassbender delivers a magnificent, nuanced performance. The score does wonders in heightening the emotions and conveying Brandon's emotions too. What is left… More
  'Shame'. A deeply unsettling, thought provoking character study, sublimely directed by Steve McQueen. Michael Fassbender delivers a magnificent, nuanced performance. The score does wonders in heightening the emotions and conveying Brandon's emotions too. What is left unexplained, and possibly for the best, is the past of Brandon and Sissy. No doubt they have experienced something together, and their relationship now is not one of a "traditional" brother / sister relationship, if such a thing exists. The ambiguous nature of this had me analysing scenes and actions over and over, and for all the love [deservedly so] I'll give Fassbender, Carey Mulligan is playing a character that is a huge departure from what we're used to with her, and does so very well. Scarily relatable for a film about addiction, and as McQueen says, sex still has a stigma associated with it that drugs and alcohol don't. A brave film to make.

• Kalel J

  
  Powerful and dangerous, SHAME is bold, daring, emotional, lustful, and interestingly complex. It is many things; a myriad of emotions swirling in confusion and distress, but given a greater shade of clarity through a moving character portrait. In Michael Fassbender, an unafraid and… More
  Powerful and dangerous, SHAME is bold, daring, emotional, lustful, and interestingly complex. It is many things; a myriad of emotions swirling in confusion and distress, but given a greater shade of clarity through a moving character portrait. In Michael Fassbender, an unafraid and thoroughly committed performance is delivered on screen - a highlight that gives his film a raw intensity rarely seen in cinema. His commitment gives the film a physicality and movement that would otherwise be lost; drawing the viewer into this characters inner torment, Fassbender combines a skill for nuanced facial expressions with a harsh bodily showcase. We are left always wondering what thoughts are going through this characters mind - not only what compels him, but what frightens him. This is the Fassbender show - first and foremost - but director Steve McQueen has a grander picture being painted. Addiction, lust, and needs are explored. While sex is the main point being driven, it is more a point of dependence and the inability to commit and grow that is given a more rounded exploration.

• Jim H

  
  A sex addict tries to reform his life after his sister moves in with him. I'm glad that I waited until after the Oscar nominations came out to write about <i>Shame</i> and Michael Fassbender's performance. He was robbed of a nomination, and though Clooney will… More
  A sex addict tries to reform his life after his sister moves in with him. I'm glad that I waited until after the Oscar nominations came out to write about <i>Shame</i> and Michael Fassbender's performance. He was robbed of a nomination, and though Clooney will likely win, Fassbender's work is riskier and grittier. The film works on two levels. First is Fassbender. Brandon is built on silence, hungry looks, and occasional bursts of emotion that are only understandable after the shock of their effect wears off. The second is how sharply subtle the story is constructed. There are no scenes explaining Brandon's development as a character, only actions. This is the year of the silent film (<i>The Artist</i>, the nostalgia of the silent age in <i>Hugo</i>, and <i>Shame's</i> reliance of silence to convey the story). Additionally, <i>Shame</i> has the unpleasant and challenging goal of making sex look ugly. And it succeeds. Some scenes are tawdry; others are brutal. A few are alluring until the titular emotion replaces afterglow. Occasionally, <i>Shame</i> commits the venial sin of being too slow, and I thought the exposition in the first act could have been trimmed; like <i>The Descendants</i>, the film really begins when its leading lady, in this case Carey Mulligan, makes her first appearance. Overall, <i>Shame</i> is an excellent film about sex and obsession with a star that is naked and vulnerable, more emotionally than physically.

• E.J. B

  
  Steve McQueen's Shame is a tough little film to watch, as tough for an audience as it must have been for the actors. McQueen demands his actors bare all both physically and emotionally. This isn't a story about someone seeking redemption, nor is it about a man dwindling into… More
  Steve McQueen's Shame is a tough little film to watch, as tough for an audience as it must have been for the actors. McQueen demands his actors bare all both physically and emotionally. This isn't a story about someone seeking redemption, nor is it about a man dwindling into the darkest depths of his own personal hell. It is an unforgiving and unrelenting reflection on personal desire. Michael Fassbender gives a performance that is deserving of all the accolade being showered over him. His character, Brandon is a sex addict. This addiction has almost completely taken over his lifestyle. His laptops at work and at home are filled with the most vile pornography imaginable. A routine trip on the subway becomes a temptation ground as he encounters women who unknowingly seduce him by just existing in the same area. And his escapades after work always end with whores or horny business women. No back story is given explaining how he got this way, and the film makes no attempt to make you sympathize with his actions. Sex has completely consumed his life, until the day his sister, aptly named Sissy (Carey Mulligan) ends up living with him. Something horrible happened between these two, but what that is will remain the elephant in the room, but will almost always be the motive behind Sissy and Brandon's interactions. Sissy is a struggling vocalist, but she's also a cutter and a lonely wanderer who seems to be in and out of horribly abusive relationships. Brandon has always kept a secret life. In a wonderfully told subplot, the audience realizes that Brandon does not enjoy relationships, love, or family. Sissy's return sends his entire world into upheaval. Brandon is faced with the horrible reality that he needs to be there for her. She has nowhere else to go, and her time living in Manhattan with her brother seems to be not only her last attempt at reconnecting with Brandon, but her last attempt at starting over. Shame is expertly filmed in long takes. There is so much going on in each scene, giving the characters and the story a sense of immediacy while detaching the audience from any emotional manipulation through cuts and close ups. Shame is a hard film to watch; it's a sad, raw, and heartbreaking journey into dark territory. But it is worth every minute.

• Reid V

  
  Probably the best portrait of addiction that I have ever seen. Toward the beginning of the film, Brandon's boss attributes his success to his attention to detail. I immediately thought of director Steve McQueen as his prowess in crafting a stunning visual presentation, getting… More
  Probably the best portrait of addiction that I have ever seen. Toward the beginning of the film, Brandon's boss attributes his success to his attention to detail. I immediately thought of director Steve McQueen as his prowess in crafting a stunning visual presentation, getting the most out of his already capable actors, and creating characters that are cold & distant yet able to be understood, allows him to take a film regarding sexual addiction and make it a tale even the most chaste of people can relate to. He also doesn't beat the viewer over the head with Brandon's addiction like so many other films, namely Requiem for a Dream, do. In the beginning, we see Brandon's compulsion to pleasure himself even at his place of work. McQueen hints at these actions later by merely showing us a delayed shot of the bathroom door. It is tastefully done and the impact is still there without repeating the scene in order to shock the audience. As good as McQueen's vision really is, Fassbender gives a finely-tuned and inspiringly nuanced performance that elevates the already superb material. From the quiet intensity on the subway to what I will refer to as his "blow-out" scene towards the end, his face communicates so much with the smallest of gestures and conveys more in one minute than most actors are capable of in an entire film. The performance is juxtaposed well with Mulligan's character who is in many ways the antithesis of Brandon, but still yearning to start over in her own way. As stated before, it is a movie about sexual addiction. While it does feature some graphic scenes, it is surprisingly reserved. I didn't find any moments to be gratuitous and when we do see a lot of skin, little gratification is to be derived from these moments. Like Brandon, we experience the compulsion, not the pleasure. There is much to say about this film and I fear that I could go on ad-nauseam. It certainly isn't a film for everyone. But if you can brave taking a long cold look in the mirror, even if your life is nothing like Brandons, I feel you can't walk away not getting a better understanding addiction and yourself in the process.

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