Shame (2011)
Certified: 18
Duration: 101 minutes
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, Nicole Beharie, James Badge Dale, Hannah Ware
KRS release
Steve McQueen follows up his difficult yet brilliant 2008 film Hunger with Shame, which again shows two sides to this director.
Brandon is a bag of emotions, and viewers witness the intensity of his inner turmoil through Michael Fassbender’s eyes- Johan Galea
Working once more with Michael Fassbender, he delivers a very strong film that does not shirk away from telling things the way they are. The subject matter chosen is sex addiction, one which is not often tackled on the big screen.
It’s a film that demonstrates the strengths of Mr Fassbender’s acting; we get to share his victories and we end up sullied by the after-effects of his conquests and failures, by his shame and guilt.
Brandon Sullivan (Michael Fassbender) seems to be a normal person, almost a bit too perfect. He has a very good corporate job, he is handsome and has no problems with his boss and friend David (James Badge Dale). He is also a lady’s man. Brandon is, however, obsessed with sex. He is addicted to it and often engages in one night stands with complete strangers.
Brandon has managed to keep his addiction under wraps, but his life is easily thrown into turmoil when his estranged sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) comes to stay with him for an undefined period.
Brandon’s rituals and the satisfaction of his daily needs are thrown to the winds. He must also cope with the interest in his co-worker Marianne (Nicole Beharie) while his relationship with his sister takes some unexpected turns.
Michael Fassbender plays the role of Brandon perfectly. You can feel how tightly he is wound; how his life is like walking a tightrope. Viewers get to see how despite happiness being possibly at hand, he will nevertheless endlessly pursue his one-night stands as this is his only means to satisfaction.
He effectively portrays a man who is being torn apart as we witness his internal battles and the jealousy he feels towards his sister and women in general.
Brandon is a bag of emotions, and viewers witness the intensity of his inner turmoil through Michael Fassbender’s eyes. His is a stare that speaks volumes.
Carey Mulligan plays Sissy with a bare approach – a quality which the actress had not yet revealed on screen. We sympathise with her when she describes how she and her brother were formed by their childhood. We feel for her, her needs and the confusion on which she seems to feed.
Mr McQueen has delivered a powerful film that is intense in subject but also provocative in the way it is handled.
The film is careful in its setting with Mr McQueen showing a knack for handling atmosphere almost on the level of Stanley Kubrick’s modus operandi of control and yet tearing us apart as we feel both scorn and pity towards the main protagonist.
Sure this film is about sexual addiction but Mr McQueen delves deep under the skin, peeling away layer after layer to show us the soul inside ticking away.
This film has no fat on its flesh. Sparse and efficient, Shame is a film that will definitely leave its marks.
It in fact won various awards, including best film and best actor at the Venice Film Festival.