Review of Shame (2011) by Sheldon C — 15 Oct 2013

A terrific and respectfully bold sophomore feature from Steve McQueen, SHAME is a daring and unflinching look into the life of a man trapped by his own sex addiction within his self-contained, controlled and compartmentalized world. Michael Fassbender delivers an unrestrained performance as Brandon, and convincingly makes a strong claim as one of the best actors of this current generation - he manages to encompass the gentlemen-like, pedestrian, obsessive, and self-destructive behaviors of his character into a single believable man, and does so by carrying the film from start to finish, impressively capitalizing on a plethora of complex and difficult emotions. He is a man in which we attempt to sympathize with, but end up observing through mere interest and sheer helplessness. And when his younger sister arrives (an impressively pitiful performance by Carey Mulligan), Brandon's disrupted world comes spiraling down with a painful crash. Wonderfully played and captivating to watch.

McQueen creates a moody NYC atmosphere through use of dark production design and exquisitely framed compositions - his use of long takes explores the full potential of his actors and allows for natural performances (one shot in particular has Fassbender running the length of perhaps five or six blocks; simple but pinpointing the exact emotion of a fuming and boiling Brandon at that moment). SHAME is an explicit and provocative film, one that is not for the faint-hearted, but likewise one that is excellent and admirably well-made.