Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is seemingly normal. He has a great job, well-groomed, handsome, organized, and the list can go on. Underneath that whole visage is a deeply damaged man, dealing with sex addiction. He deals with his addiction in a rather blasé way, like it’s a simple chore or watching TV. It’s when his sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan), unexpectedly crashes at his place that his exterior starts to crumble. Brandon is pretty stoic, and tries hard to avoid emotions at all times. But having a very emotional, messy, self-destructing sister around doesn’t make it easy. It comes down to both Brandon and Sissy having to face their problems.
Director Steve McQueen is an excellent filmmaker. The scenes of Brandon running through New York are so incredibly shot. McQueen’s style fit right in to this type of story and topic. McQueen also co-wrote the script with Abi Morgan. I will admit that I had read an early version of the script many months ago, and that also had lend to my interest in this film. The movie is a little more ambiguous than the script was. Yet, usually I feel almost the same kind of experience when reading a script and then watching the film. In this case, it was totally different experience. McQueen and Morgan fleshed out the story on paper, but on screen gave it an absolutely new embodiment, which surprised me (in a good way).
Shame is definitely a film to see once in your lifetime. While the subject matter does sound dreary and depressing, and it is, there are quite a few funny moments throughout that lighten the mood. The sibling relationship between Brandon and Sissy is very fascinating. They really only have each other. The actors’ chemistry was spot on for such a strange sibling relationship. I’m seriously hoping that Fassbender and Mulligan both get nods for their stunning work in this film. This isn’t an Oscar-friendly film, but for once can the Academy get over whatever they need to get over and give Shame the chance it absolutely deserves? Let’s desperately hope so.
Shame is now playing in select cities. Click here to see when and where it will be playing in your area. (And yeah, I emphasize that this isn’t a film to see with your parents. Awkward.)
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