I have never seen a film like Shame. It's surprising that the subject of sexual addiction hasn't been covered more in cinema, because despite the uncomfortable subject matter, it's a great opportunity to show off some naked bodies, right? Through the lens of Steve McQueen's camera, however, a nude Michael Fassbender cavorting around with plenty of gorgeous women is rendered the exact opposite of sexy: it is an ugly act coming from a very dark place within this man. Michael Fassbender is simply sublime as Brandon, the high-flying marketing executive living in New York whose mind is constantly clouded by thoughts of sex. As well as this, he has to deal with his mentally unstable sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) coming to stay, leading them both to an inevitable point of explosion. Shame is a visceral experience like I've never seen before: the mixture of Harry Escott's emotive score and McQueen's gorgeous imagery helps create a Hell-on-Earth which makes even the most seductive visuals appear repulsive. It's a shame (geddit?) Fassbender didn't get a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his work on the film (likely due to the Academy's own old-man prejudices against seeing a penis that isn't their own), because he was outstanding.
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.
