Review of Shame (2011) by Gavin S — 17 Oct 2014

Shame, or it's Canadian title: Fassbender's Cock, is a brutally unflinching look at the miserable, solitary life of Brandon (Fassbender) a sex-addict. He'll jerk off in the shower, at work, he'll have sex with bar girls, hookers, even gay men. What he won't do, is feel a connection. He's empty and broken inside, and isolates himself in a sterile apartment in NYC. This seems to be working for him, until the arrival of Sissy, who we discover is his sister. He's not at all pleased to see her. She's just as damaged as he is, and we come to a very easy conclusion that they suffered a very abusive childhood, though there are no specifics. This is raw, unflinching, naked (both senses) film-making. Fassbender is superb as an empty man who seems to just be barely holding on under the surface. A well deserved Oscar nod, he and director McQueen work very well together (they also did Hunger). Carey Mulligan as Sissy is also very strong, and she's the opposite pole of Brandon, though just as fucked-up. There's so much anger in him, he explodes at her numerous times and seems to hate her for being in his life.

This is NOT an easy film to watch, and it certainly isn't enjoyable unless you're a pretty miserable person. This is one you only watch once, and then you can say you've seen it, and discuss, because you won't forget it.

Oh, and there's a lot of cock shots. How titilating...but this is not a sexy film at all, it's detached, and shows a man who seems to be falling apart inside with no clue how, or maybe even desire, to fix things.

It's an experience.