Shame is the latest film by Steve McQueen who previous did the masterful Hunger. It stars Michael Fassbender (who starred in Hunger as well) and girl of the moment Carey Mulligan. It was highly controversial in some circles because of it’s graphic sexuality but it’s one of the least arousing films you will ever see.
It’s about a terribly unlikable Irish born yuppie Brandon Sullivan (Michael Fassbender) living in New York City who happens to be a sex addict and a period in his life. His younger sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) turns up at his apartment after a late night with his co-workers. His sister is as messed up as him because of something that happened in childhood which is never revealed. Brandon’s life is turned inside out in the remainder of the film.
Firstly a lot of said of a possible incestuous relationship between the siblings in the past simply because Sissy wants to sleep in the same bed as Brandon. That’s just what siblings do, it’s not sexual as all.
The film is extremely well made with extensive use of long takes. I’m a great fan of the long take and it’s something only a really master filmmaker can pull off (Tarkovsky, Welles, P.T Anderson for example). None quite pull the feat of the stunning 21 minutes back and forth between Fassbender and Liam Cunningham in Hunger. There are still impressive long takes especially the run Brandon has whilst listening to Bach.
Michael Fassbender clearly is absolutely astonishing in the film even though I don’t think it’s as impressive a physical performance he gave in Hunger (which he literally carried for half an hour whilst on his death bed.). It’s still probably one of the 2 great lead performances the other being Ryan Gosling in Drive (which is more of a non verbal performance). Carey Mulligan (who happened to co-star with Gosling in Drive) is very effective as his tormented sister even though the New York, New York performance in a nightclub scene is very actory and tedious after a while. However she pulls off an American accent with small hints of Irish very well despite being a Brit. Her screaming fits are quite believable surprising which is something very few actors can pull off. Nicole Beharie is very good as co-worker who Brandon is interested, I haven’t seen anything else she is in but she certainly somebody to keep an eye out for in the near future.
Steve McQueen is pretty much the only British director who I’ve had any time for since Danny Boyle (who I’ve not been hugely impressed post-Sunshine) and he is truly a master of composition. This is probably down to his background as visual artist. Unlike most visual artists he can actually tell a story with images very well. Hunger which besides the back and forth mentioned previously is almost non-verbal. Shame is a bit more wordy than Hunger which is fine. It does however has some great moments of non-verbal storytelling like the much discussed gay bar scene.
Shame is certainly a film to see (I’ve seen it twice now and will certainly watch it again soon) for the great performances, cinematography and is certainly a film that will stick in your mind well after you see it. Steve McQueen is certainly the future of the British film industry and that’s a good thing . Oh and Michael Fassbender has the biggest penis in show business and yes it’s bigger than Liam Neeson’s.
Reviewer: Ian Schultz
Rating: 18UK Release Date: 14th May, 2012
Director: Steve McQueen
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, Nicole Beharie
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