Film Review: Shame (2011)

Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is a fit, attractive man who lives in an aesthetically sterile apartment (think American Psycho) in New York City. He lives a very private life, which enables him to indulge in his rampant sex addiction, until his sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) shows up needing a place to stay.

Brandon and Sissy are polar opposites, Sissy is able to articulate her flaws in contrast with Brandon’s stand off-ish nature in which he is unable to verbalise anything he is feeling. Sissy tells Brandon she doesn’t know why she makes him so angry and he tells her she’s a burden who is dragging him down (from what, we don’t know). Sissy might play the victim, but Brandon is the film’s biggest victim, even though he’ll never acknowledge this.

Completely isolated from the world around him, he’ll do anything for his next fix and doesn’t care what form it comes in. Fassbender is brilliant in a role that many would shy away from. He isn’t afraid of taking risks and plays Brandon with disturbing conviction.

Brandon is a sick man, we see this especially when he rids his apartment of all his pornography; magazines and DVDs, as well as sex toys and even his computer. He is at a loss and not far away from self-destruction. This self-destruction comes closer and closer with a climax that will actually take your breath away. Brandon has no disregard for life, until it’s almost too late.

Less is definitely more with McQueen and everything about Shame is incredibly poignant. The shots, the score and the performances will all have you transfixed. The subject matter isn’t easy to endure but it is well worth your perseverance.

Shame isn’t easy to decipher, but it will stay with you for quite some time.

★★★★