Review of Shame (2011) by John S — 22 Feb 2013

Shame is a good movie, when all is said and done, and at the very least, it is a compelling and interesting one. It gives you a lot to chew on, a lot to mull over. And you don't realize this until the very end. And I don't think you ever really know how the movie is that powerful, if it even is.

Shame is based on a series of long, drawn-out scenes that may or may not be integral to the storyline. I say this because there doesn't seem to be any one storyline. Does the viewer focus on Michael Fassbender's sex addiction and how he overcomes it? Do we focus on the events that happen after his sister arrives? His troubles at the office? Or is it the drama that happens after hours with strange women that we need to pay attention to?

The answer is: we don't know, which is why I find it compelling. We are forced, in a way, to make our own movie. To find out why he acts with hatred towards his sister. To figure out more about him, and, in turn, what the movie is about. What the movie is trying to tell us.

Probably the best scene here is the long one where Fassbender and Beharie are at dinner and are simply chatting. Kudos also to a few other long scenes- I especially enjoyed Carey Mulligan's long, live singing of New York, New York and I liked for some reason the part where Fassbender just goes for a jog in the evening.

I have to give props to Michael Fassbender, though. I don't know if I can think of any other actor who could have played his part the way he did. I think Ewan MacGregor put forth the best effort with Young Adam (which wasn't very good) and that goes to show you how good this movie actually is, if MacGregor can't do it but Fassbender can. Not many other people could, either.

That there is the essence of Shame. It draws you in -somehow- keeps you there-in some way- and leaves you with something to think about, even if you aren't sure what.