Review of Shame (2011) by Valentin G — 23 Jul 2015
More than anything when I was told about Steve McQueen's Shame, was that its something that will divide your opinion, even after its finished. Correct, I do not know what to say, apart from its fantastic or disappointing all at the same time.
Fassbender is memorising ticking time bomb which keeps the film flowing at a reasonable pace. He's cool, calm but rotates almost immediately to pure lust, hatred, and relentless emotion which simmers all to Carey Mulligan's Sissy. The two are troubled, damaged and broken for any love or interaction with each other, or any one for that matter. This is McQueen's powerful study, not just with sex addiction, but also with subjects which hardly ever gets a mention.
Fassbender's Brandon is a spiralling mess, getting progressively worse as the film goes on, never really showing a redeeming attribute that he will get help. Which brings me to the films downfall.
Shame is a masterclass in acting, Fassbender deserves nothing but praise. The film is sometimes hard to watch as Brandon slowly descends into a hollow shell. But this is exactly what the film entails. I suppose at some point I expected redemption from Brandon, but he is, like I said, a bomb ready to explode. Quite frankly, its a very lonely, empty film which in the end, leaves with an ambiguous question mark.
This review of Shame (2011) was written by Valentin G on 23 Jul 2015.
Shame has generally received positive reviews.
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