Review of Shame (2011) by Amanda C — 19 Oct 2013

Steve McQueen's follow up to the spectacular Hunger begins with Michael Fassbender's Brandon lying naked in bed. He gets up leaving nothing but the now empty bed as the title superimposes onto the screen.

Shame is minimalistic. Simplicity itself, which works both to its advantage and it detriment. McQueen's use of nudity is refreshing in that it is used to show people at their most venerable, both physically and emotionally.

There is no eroticism in the naked bodies, those moments come with the actors fully clothed, when they are in control and protected. Instead, there is an underlying sadness and an inability to connect as a fully mature and emotional human being that underlies every sex scene of the film.

The importance of emotional and physical connection in relationships is contrasted between Brandon and his sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan), who provides the emotional neediness to Brandon's physical.

The only issue to be found is that Shame is simple an observational exercise. While interesting, McQueen has nothing to present beyond what a mess his characters are. The end provides nothing but stasis, no form of closure, resolution or even reason.

Little has changed, and what has will inevitable return to what it was in the beginning. McQueen is commendable for taking his characters as is, never condemning them for their problems, but a stand at the end of the film would have been nice, even if it was a debatable one.