Featured Audience Ratings

• Spencer S

  
  A beautifully fulfilling and poignant film on a form of addiction that is never covered in film and is somewhat mocked and neglected in public discourse. A very character driven film, "Shame" is filled with its namesake thanks to a hauntingly brilliant performance from… More
  A beautifully fulfilling and poignant film on a form of addiction that is never covered in film and is somewhat mocked and neglected in public discourse. A very character driven film, "Shame" is filled with its namesake thanks to a hauntingly brilliant performance from Irishman Michael Fassbender. Set in the New York City landscape of decadence, gluttony, and sexual ambivalence. It's a perfectly bleak and strangely sterile place and a great setting for a story about a man who is out of his depth. Addicted to pornography, masturbation, and sexual intercourse, Brandon is always struggling to find true love while also juggling his high stress job and getting through his daily struggles with addiction. He has sex with everyone from his co-workers to prostitutes, and while he can easily get through his physical encounters with random strangers he can't make it with someone he truly cares for. Worse than that people are starting to suspect that he is more than what he seems. His sister, who is as messed up as him in another way, has moved in with him and is starting to make his life of meaningless sex and addiction into something even more shameful. He struggles throughout the film to end his sexual deviance and escapades for his own betterment, but it's in his blood, coursing through him in the worst kind of way. His boss is on to him, his sister definitely knows how horrible a time he's going through, and the one person he has connected with in so much time cannot quench his everlasting and salacious thirst. Fassbender gives a thoughtfully pained performance, Mulligan is far from the good girl persona she has previously exhibited, and Nicole Beharie is exceptionally sweet hearted but naive. Just an amazing and overwhelmingly moving film.

• paul s

  
  Shame is an interesting film with lots to chew over. It has a vibe that runs through it - allowing for long sequences that may or may not mean much at all - but its tenor is solid - it certainly believes in the vision that it is showing... for better or worse. Moody music and… More
  Shame is an interesting film with lots to chew over. It has a vibe that runs through it - allowing for long sequences that may or may not mean much at all - but its tenor is solid - it certainly believes in the vision that it is showing... for better or worse. Moody music and moody performances are at the core here - Michael Fassbinder is marvelous as a sex addict who has intimacy problems; as is his sister, as portrayed by Carey Mulligan. They are a contradiction - Mulligan is needy and ready for a tryst whenever and with whoever, regardless of the cost - just to feed the emptiness that is at the center of her; while Fassbinder is almost a sexual predator in the way he scans a woman, and yet, while desiring the sexual coupling, cannot commit to intimacy (the film does itself a disservice by never explaining why - as if he exists as an entity unto himself - a man with no past or future, living in the eternal now). The performances are brave, as is the direction of co-writer and director Steve McQueen, although the floating "now" at the back third of the film remains for me a questionable choice, as are scenes that, quite simply seem to go on for too long (like the long jobbing scene). I was impressed however that McQueen allowed Mulligan the time to sing an entire version of a slow, jazzy New York, New York (and what amazing comping by the pianist!!) - that scene meant next to nothing, and yet was given the full treatment, an odd choice, but one that I enjoyed. All I can think is that this, like so much of the film, does nothing more than set the mood - it is intimate and distant at the same time, just like Fassbinder's character. There is a fabulously acted scene between Fassbinder and a co-worker (kudos to Nichole Beharie as said co-worker) as they awkwardly and yet compellingly interact on a date while dining in a restaurant - constantly interrupted by an overbearing waiter, they still circle around each other as each starts to reveal small secrets of who they are. Fassbinder proclaims that relationships are overrated, which sets Beharie back a bit as she announces that she is separated and, from her actions, we believe her to be looking for some kind of bounce back romance - one that will recharge her self esteem. Fassbinder, who is looking for what used to be called "the zipless fuck" (ie, no strings attached emotionally or intellectually) takes a step back when he learns that Beharie is no longer "attached". That he later takes a chance is telling, and that said chance ends in disappointment all the more so. You just wonder what the heck happened to cause him to fear intimacy so much. The ending doesn't answer these questions, but does a fair job of showing us a man trapped by his compulsion and, quite frankly, by life. He somehow cares for his sister, in spite of her being a "weight that drags me down". She complicates his compartmentalized life, and yet he is tethered to her, in spite of himself - just as he is tethered to his addiction - substituting the carnal for the real kind of interaction he can't seem to be able to handle. Creepy in many ways - and yet compelling - just as it seems that women can detect his desire and are somehow drawn to it; as the long subway scenes depict... again, both detached and yet intensely intimate, even with no words being said.

• Veronique K

  
  to present the unpresentible is what modernist art does. postmodernist art is to present the unpresentibility. but in this case, shame is the former. it's about a sex-addict who painfully takes great doses of sex to feel consummated, for emotional alleviation? for a drastic void… More
  to present the unpresentible is what modernist art does. postmodernist art is to present the unpresentibility. but in this case, shame is the former. it's about a sex-addict who painfully takes great doses of sex to feel consummated, for emotional alleviation? for a drastic void he could never fulfill. he looks dreary, worn-out by them, are his joyrides aren't really joyrides or chamber of endless torments? at least, he's honest to himself without giving you that disgusting sense of chauvinistic complacency on his sexual conquests. he's aware that he's attractive with masculine enigma and quite able to get as many women as he could. he doesn't take pride and he just wants to live and let live, keep things under a functional, seemingly responsible surface of normalcy until his emotionally frail sister invades his apartment to tear that illusionary facade of self-sufficiency apart. but the movie doesn't exactly reveal what the hack is troubling this dude who seems to be equipped with everything that makes a glossy yuppie bachelor in new york: young, handsome, indepedent, well-mannered (for most of the time) with a position which pays enough to have a decent apartment and as much paid sexual services as he wishes to have. his achilles' feet are only unravelled by his sister's suicidal attempts, sentimal whining for tender attetnion: "we're not bad people. we just come from bad roots"...so what is in that pandora's box? (it never tells you! so no climax, and it never really lets you CUM.aye. allegory of sex without pleasure? ha) the title of this movei is SHAME, and the guy is really quite decent by heart enough to feel the shame as if his genital is sadistically rotting from over-exhaustions while his heart seeks that masochistic rapture/rupture saturated by shame.

• Sanjaya &

  
  'Shame' is just another movie that had a strong performance from their two main character (Michael Fassbender & Carey Mulligan) but didn't have an interesting story to be told.. The way that Michael Fassbender played Brandon, he looks like he really blend with his… More
  'Shame' is just another movie that had a strong performance from their two main character (Michael Fassbender & Carey Mulligan) but didn't have an interesting story to be told.. The way that Michael Fassbender played Brandon, he looks like he really blend with his character, like he is really a sex addict.. While Carey Mulligan successfully destroyed the good girl image that she had when she first become famous of 'An Education' (which is still one of my favorite movies until this time).. And even both of them show their brave performance without using any clothes in a scene but too bad the Oscars overlooked it.. But from the story of the movie, to be honest I didn't like it at all.. It just feels like the audiences getting to know about a piece of life from a sex addict and the ending didn't conclude anything.. But Steve McQueen did it again with his fame directing technique (a long scene with just one shot that get fame in 'Hunger' and this time he did some scenes that way and it just made me amazed with the performance of Michael Fassbender.. Overall, it's a movie that had a strong performance from their the actors but didn't had an interesting story to be told..

• Emil K

  
  Provocative, effective and grim dive into one man's sexual obsession. Director Steve McQueen shows much more talent with this shocking portrait of an addiction than he did with his earlier film Hunger. That film was overrated and miserable to the bone but Shame has much more of… More
  Provocative, effective and grim dive into one man's sexual obsession. Director Steve McQueen shows much more talent with this shocking portrait of an addiction than he did with his earlier film Hunger. That film was overrated and miserable to the bone but Shame has much more of an story to tell. Screenplay by Abi Morgan and McQueen himself is intimate and brave look on the dark side of human nature. It does not shy away from it's topic and dives head first into personal hell which it's lead character Brandon is living in. Michael Fassbender is outstanding as Brandon and he proves to be one of the most gifted actors of his generation. This is a film that quite possibly could not have worked without his fantastic performance. It is at least very hard to imagine anyone else pulling off a equally bold portrait of a tormented man. As Shame went along i kept thinking that does it need all it's scenes of sex and nudity and at times yes and at times no. There are times when it feels that McQueen is aiming for shocks but on the other hand some of it's raw nudity takes us close enough to see and feel Brandon's torment. This is quality cinema and one of the most intimate takes on addiction. It is also major step forward for director Steve McQueen and it is interesting to see where he goes next as an director.

• Daniel M

  
  Ever since Paul Verhoeven torched his career with Showgirls, the NC-17 rating has been forever associated with soft-core porn. While in Britain 18-certificate films earn their rating and can still be box-office hits (like Dredd 3D), in America the NC-17 is seen as a last resort if a… More
  Ever since Paul Verhoeven torched his career with Showgirls, the NC-17 rating has been forever associated with soft-core porn. While in Britain 18-certificate films earn their rating and can still be box-office hits (like Dredd 3D), in America the NC-17 is seen as a last resort if a film cannot be cut to get an R rating - and if it doesn't get that R rating, the chances are that no-one will pay to see it. At this point I could launch into a lecture about the perceived infantilism of both the MPAA and the movie-going public; if you want that argument presented coherently and without a hint of snobbery, go and watch This Film Is Not Yet Rated. All I will say is that it is a great... pity that so few people got to see Shame the first time round. Like Showgirls it is so unashamedly explicit that only the highest rating could have sufficed. But while Verhoeven's film has little between its ears other than Elizabeth Berkley's cleavage, this is a bold and powerful work which cements Steve McQueen as a director and Michael Fassbender as a truly great actor. Being a film about sex which works hard to turn its audience off, the natural reference point for Shame would be Eyes Wide Shut. Both films have main characters who are urbane, middle-class and seemingly confident, and both Stanley Kubrick and Steve McQueen are exceptional visual craftsmen. In each case we are introduced to a glossy world surrounded on all sides by wealth and success, until an element is introduced which throws the central character's life off-course: in Kubrick's case, it is the wife confessing to adultery, in McQueen's, the arrival of the wayward sister. If you wanted to stretch the comparison, you could make the argument that both films are about depicting a form of sexual jealousy. In Kubrick's case, he wanted to explore the destructive effect that jealousy and adultery can have on relationships, reducing sexual satisfaction down to something that is almost banal, to hammer home how self-defeating these desires can be. Shame, on the other hand, depicts jealousy more abstractly, with Brandon's longing for satisfaction not being borne out of revenge. It is interesting to note that cinematic attitudes towards nymphomania are often the complete opposite to attitudes in wider Western culture. Films like Horrible Bosses depict female nymphomania as something humorous or even attractive, while in wider society female promiscuity and sexual confidence is frowned upon, to the point where the way that women dress is often used (wrongfully) to justify violence against them. Conversely, male promiscuity in society is almost something to boast about, and yet depictions of promiscuity on film are pretty negative outside of gross-out comedies. While it does correspond to these wider trends, at least to some degree, there can be no denying the power of Shame in its depiction of sex addiction. The film is confident enough to avoid romanticising or excusing the lifestyle of its central character; while we are meant to envy Brandon's wealth or success, we are never expected to like him, let alone emulate him. Over the course of the film we see Brandon's lifestyle slowly overtaking the veil of ignorance that surrounds it. He goes from seeming in control to pure, visceral desperation until an emotional break pulls him back from the edge. Brandon's addiction is characterised by what Sigmund Freud called a "death drive" - commonly known as thanatos, after the Greek personification of Death. Put simply, our main character is compelled to engage in behaviour which is risky, shameful and ultimately self-destructive. Brandon is searching for the fleeting or unobtainable thrill that is expressed in sexual ecstasy, and the more compulsive he becomes in his search, the further from his goal he gets. The petit mort or orgasm that the character experiences is a microcosm of his state, a fleeting glimpse of his ultimate fate, something which is enticing yet terrifying, preventable yet inevitable. Shame spends a lot of its running time showing how distant Brandon is from the people around him. His desire for sexual satisfaction is matched by an inability or unwillingness to be intimate: he has few friends, doesn't return his sister's calls, and cuts straight to the chase when he and his boss go out on the pull. While the latter makes a fool of himself with bad dancing and corny chat-up lines, Brandon bides his time and eventually gets what he wants - or at least, what he wants right then. This idea is reinforced by the conversation in the restaurant between Brandon and Mariane. Having arrived late and ordered their food, the two enter into a discussion about marriage, and Mariane spots an elderly couple on the other side of the restaurant, sitting silently. She postulates that they are not talking because they know each other so well that there is no need to say anything; Brandon retorts that they are bored and have simply run out of things to say. It's a lovely microcosm of Brandon's character, displaying his contempt for connection thinly disguised by wit and charm. The film also touches on the way that the internet has changed sexual relationships. It takes the basic thesis of The Social Network (that online networking has made us more atomistic) and advances the idea that the instant gratification of online porn has diminished the emphasis we place on marriage and monogamy. Brandon can easily get aroused when the outcome is certain, whether online or in the gay club, but when he is asked to be intimate and personable in the film's only sexy scene, he can only go so far before his insecurities are exposed. The film doesn't argue that the internet is a probable cause for Brandon's afflictions, but it certainly isn't helping matters. The film is held together by the stunning performance of Michael Fassbender, who first came to attention through his previous work with McQueen in Hunger. Fassbender is deeply charismatic but has a real sadness to him: his deep blue eyes slowly wander in every conversation, searching desperately for acceptance while trying to keep up a façade. He gets some good support from Carey Mulligan, who delivers despite having less to work with than she did in Drive. Her slow rendition of 'New York, New York', which moves Brandon to tears, is quite remarkable. If you wanted a sound-byte to encapsulate Shame, you might say that it does for sex addiction what Requiem for a Dream did for drug addiction, depicting a destructive force in graphic detail. But this analogy would be misplaced, since McQueen is interested in self-annihilation while Darren Aronofsky also concentrates on existential despair. It also illuminates the problem with Shame, namely that for all its graphic content, it doesn't go quite far enough. In Requiem for a Dream, the experience was completely unhinged: the rapid editing, grim storyline and the lengths to which the characters were degraded made it painful to sit through, for all the right reasons. We genuinely got the sense of being in the same spiral as the characters, not knowing where we would end up and coming out feeling depressed but lucky to be alive. Shame has moments where it feels like this, but it also feels like a rigged experiment, perhaps reflecting McQueen's background in visual art. Despite an ambiguous ending and the shock of Sissie's fate, it still feels a little too choreographed or predetermined to completely knock us for six. Shame is a bold and intriguing second effort from McQueen with a stunning central performance by Fassbender. It offers audiences a lot to chew on without coming across as a message movie, keeping us focussed on the disintegration of the characters. It is slightly compromised by its sense of distance, and it lacks the level of terrifying desperation offered by Requiem for a Dream. But it's still highly recommended as a work of great power and emotional intelligence.

• Jeff "

  
  Shame is a unique and disturbing cinematic experience. Director Steve McQueen crafts a poignant and disturbing drama that tells the story of Brandon, a sex addict brilliantly played by Michael Fassbender, This is a different and highly provocative drama that tells the story of… More
  Shame is a unique and disturbing cinematic experience. Director Steve McQueen crafts a poignant and disturbing drama that tells the story of Brandon, a sex addict brilliantly played by Michael Fassbender, This is a different and highly provocative drama that tells the story of obsession, addition and you see how the main character falls into his addiction. With brilliant direction and effective performances, Shame is a wonderfully constructed drama film that is quite hard to forget. What really stood out for me was the performance of Michael Fassbender; I felt he was perfect for the part. I think it's a pity that this is a film that is fairly obscured, but it's no surprise either due to its extreme sexual content. The film deserves to have more exposure and should be seen by a wider audience. The plot, acting and directing are immaculate and everything falls into place perfectly to create a haunting portrait of addiction and the downward spiral of one man's integrity. This is brilliant filmmaking that is among of the best, most compelling drama films I've seen in quite some time. Although it's extreme in showing sexual addiction, this is a film that film fans shouldn't pass up because of the solid performances and terrific plot. If you enjoy Fassbender's work, this is a must watch. Director Steve McQueen is definitely a director to look out for in the future and he shows us what films are supposed to be. I love his take no prisoners' attitude, and Shame is a powerful, gripping drama that boldly takes risks and delivers an unforgettable film going experience.

• Daniel P

  
  A bleak, searing portrait of a sex addict that's as much a condemnation of our onanistic, isolating consumer society as it is a human story. It's not preachy, not in the least, but much like American Psycho, Shame parades aberrant behaviour before us and makes it look… More
  A bleak, searing portrait of a sex addict that's as much a condemnation of our onanistic, isolating consumer society as it is a human story. It's not preachy, not in the least, but much like American Psycho, Shame parades aberrant behaviour before us and makes it look disturbingly normal. A powerhouse performance by Michael Fassbender and an eye-opening look at the work of an emerging master, that other Steve McQueen. I'm excited to see more of their work (Hunger).

• Sophie B

  
  I completely understand what this film is trying to be (and arguably, does a really great job of it) but it's really not my type of film. I found it slow and gratuitous with far too much reading between the lines which could lead the spectator to various, drastically different… More
  I completely understand what this film is trying to be (and arguably, does a really great job of it) but it's really not my type of film. I found it slow and gratuitous with far too much reading between the lines which could lead the spectator to various, drastically different interpretations. Overall, solid script, solid acting and a solid film.

• Mike S

  
  Shame is the mesmerizing story of a successful New York business man named Brandon Sullivan, whose extreme appetites for sex, spirals further and further out of control, beyond the accepted norms of society and into desirous, overwhelming addiction. Rivetingly played by Michael… More
  Shame is the mesmerizing story of a successful New York business man named Brandon Sullivan, whose extreme appetites for sex, spirals further and further out of control, beyond the accepted norms of society and into desirous, overwhelming addiction. Rivetingly played by Michael Fassbender (who is fast becoming one of my new favourite actors), it's a vehicle for his outstanding talent; granting him all the space he requires to bring out the full force of his thespian arsenal. Alongside, in a vital supporting role, we also find the hauntingly gifted Carey Mulligan, who plays his emotionally unstable sister, who moves in with him at the expense of their already frail sibling relationship. As a character-driven drama it is admittedly slow - an attribute which may put some people off, but reward those who have the patience to follow it through. Personally, I didn't mind the relaxed pacing, as it allows you as a viewer to build strong, visceral bridges between yourself and the two leads. Upon reflection in the aftermath, it feels like you've stepped into the lives of two very real human beings. Setting the mood and engaging the senses, Harry Escott's delicate music score goes perfect with the imagery and the events we are witnessing. Focused on the lustful and spontanenous escapades of our weighted main character, it's a very graphic film, that is anything but shy to display full-frontal nudity and explicit sexual content. It might be worth knowing if you're the sensitive type. As a liberal person, living in a very liberal country, I'm quite used, however, to this kind of raw and outspoken sensualism. It fits the plot and is done in great taste. The only gripe to be mentioned here is The Academy's ignorance in excluding Fassbender from this year's nominations. A disgrace really, as this is one of his finest performances yet. To us relishers of dramatic splendor, however, this is a tremendously engrossing character study, whose psychosexual explorations ring amazingly true. Subtle, absorbing and brilliantly directed, Shame is a fantastic achievement by all parties involved - and certainly, unmistakably, has nothing to be ashamed of.

• paul o

  
  I feel that anything can be good if you just add classical music. This whole film is a prime example. Fassbender was only good with the complementing sounds of a beautiful orchestra. Not the easiest of movies to watch but has its moments of beauty. George Clooney once said that you… More
  I feel that anything can be good if you just add classical music. This whole film is a prime example. Fassbender was only good with the complementing sounds of a beautiful orchestra. Not the easiest of movies to watch but has its moments of beauty. George Clooney once said that you could play golf with a dick as big as Fassbender's. I agree with that statement.

• Tony G

  
  Sex and nudity. "Shame" promised a lot of it and judging by its NC-17 rating, the MPAA believes it delivered. On paper, the sex and nudity in "Shame" was necessary to the film as it dealt with the taboo subject of sexual addiction. In reality, the sex and… More
  Sex and nudity. "Shame" promised a lot of it and judging by its NC-17 rating, the MPAA believes it delivered. On paper, the sex and nudity in "Shame" was necessary to the film as it dealt with the taboo subject of sexual addiction. In reality, the sex and nudity served as a mere marketing vehicle that attracted those who like to rubberneck past a car wreck. You watch with curiosity but thereâ(TM)s nothing much to say about it other than to say you witnessed it. "Shame" falls into the category of "what could've been?" An interesting subject, compelling leads, an industry's rapt attention. But the film never finds a tellable story. A good example of this is Michael Fassbender's presence in the film. There's no question that his performance is strong and that he deserved the accolades and Oscar buzz he received. But his performance becomes a bit of a show. He's masturbating! He's having graphic sex! He's masturbating at work! He's having graphic sex in front of a hotel window! Fassbender ably performs in every scene and gives us his all. But you never really know what's behind it all. What's his motivation? Is it a troubled childhood? Maybe. The filmmakers do leave you clues but never really let you feel the severity of truth of it. Perhaps they thought that Carey Mulligan's presence fulfilled that purposes. Mulligan, more than Fassbender, does a lot with her role. You get to know Sissy, you recognize her, you understand her pain even though you only know a hint of her backstory. Mulligan is given Sissy's co-dependency as the nucleus of her character's existence and she squeezes every ounce of that characteristic in the best possible way. Fassbender's Brandon is in constant hiding driven by shame and he does so by wearing a cold shell. It's a hard characteristic to pull off without coming across as robotic and Fassbender seems to walk that fine line well. Outside of that he's a Hollywood fabrication "the successful Executive", you know that ones who work in modern offices, with nice glass walls, with attractive co-workers mulling about. Doesn't matter what he actually does, what matters is that he masturbates at work and watches a lot of porn. "Shame" is a shame. The filmmakers could have told a psychologically-rich story that really exposed the pain sexual addiction can cause. Instead Steve McQueen stages a film with lots of scenes but very little story to be memorably affecting.

• Kase V

  
  McQueen follows on both the success and style of his debut with 'Shame'. Fassbender delivers another amazing performance that could've scored him an Oscar nomination, and the cinematography is just as good as before. Just as 'Hunger' was, getting past some of… More
  McQueen follows on both the success and style of his debut with 'Shame'. Fassbender delivers another amazing performance that could've scored him an Oscar nomination, and the cinematography is just as good as before. Just as 'Hunger' was, getting past some of the disturbing scenes should prove a challenge for some viewers. 'Shame' is powerful filmmaking, and McQueen leaves no stone unturned in this powerhouse drama.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie, Hannah Ware, Amy Hargreaves, Alex Manette Director: Steve McQueen Summary: Although handsome New Yorker Brandon Sullivan is outwardly reserved, inside he's seething with an overwhelming sexual… More
  Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie, Hannah Ware, Amy Hargreaves, Alex Manette Director: Steve McQueen Summary: Although handsome New Yorker Brandon Sullivan is outwardly reserved, inside he's seething with an overwhelming sexual addiction. But when his uninhibited younger sister invades his life, Brandon struggles to control his self-destructive behavior. My Thoughts: "The performances by Fassbender and Mulligan are outstanding. The emotions are intense, honest, and raw. Michael Fassbender oozes with confidence as he walks around nude (there is no shame in his game nor should there be ; ] ). Kudos for him for taking on a role most men would shy away from. Ms. Mulligan didn't shy away from going all natural either. So kudos to her as well. The underlying story of Brandon and Sissy's relationship is the reasoning for why their relationship is so strained. I believe her presence makes him more aware of his issues and the "shame" he feels, which therefore makes him angry at himself and at her for making him feel those feelings. With her there he loses the control he had. She brings chaos to his scheduled secluded life. This leads him down a downward spiral fast. Sissy also has her own issues with sex. She attaches herself to men who don't want her. Where Brandon's is an addiction, hers is more of a plead of wanting to be wanted and loved. In the end it's a fantastic film with great performances by Fassbender and Mulligan. The only complaint, more of a request really, I would have liked more of a background story on the characters. Just a bit more to go on. But besides that, it's a great film that gives you a look inside the world of sex addiction and the destruction it brings to ones life."

• 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.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings