Prior to his Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave, director Steve McQueen helmed this extremely powerful if difficult-to-watch examination of one New York businessman's (Michael Fassbender) struggle with sexual addiction. From an unforgettable opening scene in which Fassbender's Brandon has a teasing interaction with a married woman on his morning commute, the movie delves deep into his debilitating issue, impressively managing to render numerous scenes of graphic sex almost completely un-sexy through the anguished expressions on the actor's face. It's a role for which Fassbender absolutely should have won an Oscar, yet the challenging nature of the film likely left it behind the 8-ball where Academy voters were concerned. Carey Mulligan also does fine work as Brandon's troubled sister in a movie which offers no easy solutions nor any convenient pop psychology explanations, and delivers its message with potent if uncomfortable beauty.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
