December 10th, 2011 
James Shotwell 
Film: Shame
Starring: Michael Fassbender
Director: Steve McQueen
One of the year’s most discussed titles, thanks partially to being branded with a NC-17 rating, Shame is a film unlike any other released in 2011. Directed by Steve McQueen and lead by the undeniably talented Michael Fassbender, the film offers audiences a candid look at the world of sex addiction and self-destruction. Unflinching, unyielding, and unsettling, this one may take a more than a few cold showers to shake.
Fassbender stars as Brandon, a presumably successful New York businessman who lives in a single bedroom apartment and suffers from sex addiction. None of this is expressly stated (other than his name), rather it is explained within the film’s first 10-minutes through one of the more engaging opening sequences in recent memory. He is depressed, which is evident in every frame we see his face, but it’s the unexpected arrival of his sister that sends sets our story into motion. Burdened with an unexpected guest, our protagonist must both hide and face his problems more so than ever before, providing two conflicting conflicts, and a hell of lot of acting ground for Fassbender to cover.
From a directorial standpoint, McQueen succeeds at setting a captivating mood and seems to capture the pain of Brandon’s struggle gloriously. That said, he fails immensely when it comes to pacing. Even when the actors are acting their asses off (and they do, frequently), static shots of visually uninteresting occurrences plague the film. Presumably, this was intended to to give things a deeper emotional and realistic tone, but it all comes across as lazy filmmaking.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Michael Fassbender shines through and through, carrying Shame even through its’ weakest moments with a level of smooth that is double whatever Gosling offered viewers in Drive. His battle feels real, it’s ever-present and slowly eats away at the very fabric of his world, and all the while Fassbender carries it as if he were telling his own tale. You want to weep when he weeps, you grow jealous of his smirk when a woman catches his eye, and above all, you feel for him and his condition long before the film ends. He makes this film and, in doing so, makes a hell of an argument for a Best Actor nod (probably even win) throughout awards’ season.
When it comes down to it, what really separates Shame is not the unusual rating (thought it is justified, there is a lot of Fassbender to be seen), but rather the choice to tell a journey through addiction over one driven by redemption. This is not a film constructed around a pivotal scene as much as a film constructed around a character’s whole reality and while it does drag it times, true cinephiles will be thankful they sat through it when the credits roll.
If you love sad movies, erotic drama, or just want to know why Michael Fassbender will be the talk of Oscar season, give Shame a chance when you can. The NC-17 rating will make it difficult for those of you farther from major cities, but it’s definitely an experience those that love character pieces will not want to pass up. Seek it out.
Review written by: James Shotwell
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I saw Shame,and all Ive got to say is the film has no depth and is totally in many places just boring,the hype was better than the film.
Charles,
I’ve got to say, I can see your view, but I think part of Shame’s greatness was capturing how empty and shallow his existence had become. He felt nothing, just impulse, and a very basic one at that.
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