hrkepler 'Shame' is a sad movie that at the end doesn't give much hope. It raises some questions and it doesn't do it subtly. Everything it wants to tell us is perfectly shown on the surface. It is not meant to be very deep movie in that department, but it is thoughtful. Porn (and sex) addiction is much bigger problem than mainstream likes to acknowledge. It leads into depression and degradation of social behavior. Michael Fassbender's portrayal of Brandon fighting with it's inner demons, that cause him quite few shameful moments, is pleasantly calm and striking. His dysfunctional relationship with his sister Sissy (equally great performance by Carey Mulligan) is almost tragic. Two damaged people who need help, but don't know how to support each other. Unresponsible Sissy who can barely manage herself, and Brandon who's unable to let go of his addictions.'Shame' is very bleak view of someone's life spiraling down while they are perfectly aware of it, but in the end they do very little to escape.

SlyGuy21 Tackling a subject as dark and grim as porn addiction can be extremely difficult. You risk delving into just straight up porn, to completely alienating your audience because of the extreme subject matter. This does it pretty damn well though. Fassbender does a really good job as this silent, suave, lady's man who really has a dark side he's ashamed of. Similar to a Patrick Bateman like character, a person who puts on a facade in order to keep up appearances, but on the inside is way more twisted. It does the subject justice, it's not just sex for the sake of having sex, and I respect that. It shows that addiction doesn't just affect the person doing it, but the people around them too. It's a drug, and it's hard to stop. On a personal note, I've been trying to distance myself from porn as well, and it's freakin' hard. I wouldn't say I'm as hooked as Fassbender is here, but I find myself having that itch, and I need to get through it. Would I see this again, no, but I did enjoy the movie, and would recommend it to someone who wants to see an NC-17 movie that isn't just for shock value.

lewismillican Shame rather bravely tackles arguably the least talked about addiction in our 24 hour media world; sex addiction. This serious affliction is often glossed over in movies in place of seemingly more 'glamorous' addictions in drugs and alcohol. Perhaps this is due to the difficulty of writing a script and creating a focal character that is done tastefully. Opposed to making a movie that is basically an upmarket porno with a script that can't convey any severity or meaning. Shame brings some class to the table, facing up to the challenge through bringing a sense of realism and grit.General ThoughtsI'll start with the script… it is brilliant, it is natural, it is genuine and the conversations in each and every scene seem fluid and real. For any screen writers out there this is how you write a script, and believe it or not it is just how people talk in real life as well! It was of course truly brought to life by not only lead character Brandon (Michael Fassbender) but the support cast. The on screen chemistry the manifested between him and his Sister (Carey Mulligan) was intense and that relationship actually proved to be such a perfect microcosm of Brandon's state of mind.Coupled with that, the direction by Steve McQueen is fabulous, not only the gloomy cinematography but the individual scene setups are brilliant. They are deeply atmospheric, Brandon's apartment is a very interesting use of space, and for me you feel 'cornered' along with him in his many arguments with his Sister. It is clinical, regimented and has very little soul which you can not help think will only curve his ability to develop and live in comfort.We are nearly on a home run when it comes to a checklist of what makes a brilliant movie but next is the score. It is dark, it is atmospheric and the diegetic score coming from brandon's personal music choices perfectly epitomises the mood of each and every scene. The dire and desperate music Brandon seems to choose is no coincidence, and only seems to add to the pain he is going though.We are indeed on a home run now surely? costumes; the clothing Brandon chooses perfectly reflects the state of his life and his addiction. Dark, dull, bland and lifeless, the costume designers have done a great job here. Clothing is well known to be an expression of someones personality. It is very easy to see if someone feels at ease and is comfortable in their own body, by what they wear. Therefore this is a element of the movie I simply had to bring up.Stand out performancesBrandon (Michael Fassbender)Brandon is the focal point of this movie and he is an incredibly complex human. In that amounts other things it is evident he is not able to have a meaning relationship, he doesn't allow himself to open up and be himself. There are flashes throughout the movie in which he allows himself to be his true self, most noticeable on his date with Marianne (Nicole Beharie) and with his boss, David (James Dale). He is constantly trapped and is unable to live freely due to this affliction he seems to have caught himself up in. It is as if, like a smoker, he is a slave to his addiction he completely changes as a person when he is having what you could call 'withdrawal symptoms'. He will do anything to get what he desires and when I say anything… watch the movie and you'll find out.Sissy (Carey Mulligan)Not without her own problems Brandon's sister provides a fabulous sub plot to this. You can genuinely feel the pain she is going through in her performance and truly brings the script alive. I don't think Steve could have asked for much more from his leading lady in order to bring the best out of the protagonist and emphasise the ordeal he is going through.Final ThoughtsShame is as brilliant as it is necessary in this day in age. A greater understanding and compassion for the affliction is very much required from the general public, and this movie is a great step in that direction. With a protagonist that you can truly warm to. A small but vital support cast in which there are no missing links and every role has meaning, this makes for a truly refreshing movie. Although glum at times, that is very much necessary in bringing realism to a dire affliction. With a plot that is not multifaceted and over complex it never staggers but only builds in momentum. Like a snowball down a hill, never is there a point where you are not fully invested in this movie. For that very reason it is undoubtedly my favourite Fassbender role to date. 9/10

sol- Not the Ingmar Bergman classic of the same title, this contemporary British drama follows a young man who begins to reevaluate his obsession with sex and pornography when his sister moves in and begins to date his even more sexually depraved boss. In a performance consisting more of glances and stares than real dialogue, Michael Fassbender does well in the lead role as he wrestles with his conflicted emotions regarding his new home life. The title is especially interesting to consider along these regards; is the presence of his sister (and the knowledge of what his boss is doing with her) the very first thing in his life that has ever caused him to feel ashamed of his sexually active lifestyle? Intriguing as all this is, the film never tackles such ideas in much depth, not really exploring whether or not one should be ashamed of one's sexuality and/or the role of societal expectations in how open one is with one's sexuality. Much visible tension between Fassbender and Carey Mulligan (as his sister) sadly goes unexplored too with only the slightest hints of abusive childhoods and a possible incestuous past between them. And yet, with Fassbender in such good form with his longing stares (especially on the train near the end) conveying so much, this is an easy film to appreciate for the bits and pieces that do work. Harry Escott's moody music score is a particularly commendable touch.