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From Amazon.co.uk
Firmly planting itself near the top of the memorable performances and films that have been overlooked by the Oscars, Michael Fassbender's astonishing work in Shame is genuinely something to behold. Stripped bare, both physically and emotionally, he plays Brandon, a man struggling with a sex addiction, whose life gets yet more complex when his sister, played by Carey Mulligan, comes to stay. It's comfortably one of the least titillating films ever made about sex, and in this case, it's all the better for it.
Directed by Steve McQueen, who also worked with Fassbender on the acclaimed Hunger, Shame is an ambitious, raw drama. As a study of a character in the depths of an addiction, it both breaks a taboo or two, and is unflinching in its portrayal. And while there's an argument that the film itself isn't quite the equal of its leading man, Shame is both important and courageous. McQueen, certainly, is a director who very much does things his own way.
The disc's extras inevitably focus on Fassbender's provocative work, with a special Q&A with the actor himself. There are also individual interviews with key members of the cast, although hearing a little more from Steve McQueen would have been welcome. Still, it's a solid package of extra features, and it's a starting point of discussion for a film that lends itself to dissection and analysis. At the very least, though, Shame's place in history is assured, just for the quality of acting on display. --Jon Foster
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
127 of 139 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Spoilers?
This is a wonderful, powerful film which made a great impression when shown at the Leeds Film Festival in late 2011.
Brandon, brilliantly played by Fassbinder, works in New York in an unspecified job, but he is clearly successful and on the top table. His relationships at work are defined by his position in the hierarchy: his boss is his mate, but it is pretty clear that Brandon is eager to please him and that they are certainly not close. He has a series of sexual relationships with women in the film which are driven purely by sexual gratification: he visits prostitutes, seems skilled at picking up women in social encounters for no-strings sex and is clearly heavily into porn sites, including webcams and chat. He is sexually predatory, but only in seeking consensual sex. His home laptop 'sleeps' in porn access mode, it seems, and his boss complains that Brandon's computer check reveals a hard drive swamped with extreme porn: responsibility is deflected onto a recent intern. His flat is clean, characterless and monochrome: there are no signs that any of his frequent encounters leave any trace in his domestic life and it seems little more than a space to live in.
Into this emotional desert arrives his sister, Cissy, a singer. Despite her need for somewhere to stay, he is so determined on keeping his life uncluttered by an fetters, emotional or otherwise, that his agreement is only reluctantly given and given with very bad grace. Cissy's presence in his life once more and the emotional neediness which comes with it is something he can barely tolerate, not because it is simply inconvenient but because it stirs up unspecified emotional trauma from the past. She self-harms, desperately needs warmth from someone, but Brandon is unwilling or unable to provide it.... Read more ›
This is a wonderful, powerful film which made a great impression when shown at the Leeds Film Festival in late 2011.
Brandon, brilliantly played by Fassbinder, works in New York in an unspecified job, but he is clearly successful and on the top table. His relationships at work are defined by his position in the hierarchy: his boss is his mate, but it is pretty clear that Brandon is eager to please him and that they are certainly not close. He has a series of sexual relationships with women in the film which are driven purely by sexual gratification: he visits prostitutes, seems skilled at picking up women in social encounters for no-strings sex and is clearly heavily into porn sites, including webcams and chat. He is sexually predatory, but only in seeking consensual sex. His home laptop 'sleeps' in porn access mode, it seems, and his boss complains that Brandon's computer check reveals a hard drive swamped with extreme porn: responsibility is deflected onto a recent intern. His flat is clean, characterless and monochrome: there are no signs that any of his frequent encounters leave any trace in his domestic life and it seems little more than a space to live in.
Into this emotional desert arrives his sister, Cissy, a singer. Despite her need for somewhere to stay, he is so determined on keeping his life uncluttered by an fetters, emotional or otherwise, that his agreement is only reluctantly given and given with very bad grace. Cissy's presence in his life once more and the emotional neediness which comes with it is something he can barely tolerate, not because it is simply inconvenient but because it stirs up unspecified emotional trauma from the past. She self-harms, desperately needs warmth from someone, but Brandon is unwilling or unable to provide it.... Read more ›
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I read all the reviews and they all seem to see Fassbender's character as an addict, someone who is atypical, an unhappy outsider, sick. The sister, too, is perceived as emotionally damaged. What if we were to see these characters as TYPICAL, as representing what life is like for many younger adults today living in massive anonymous ugly-chic cities, dividing their lives between workplaces where they are in constant anxiety about losing their job (or worse, not at work and not having a properly paid job at all), boxy apartments where they squat in front of screens watching mainstream movies or porn online, and dangerous night streets. As I watched this I couldn't help thinking, too, of Damian Lewis in Keane, an even more uncomfortable look at very similar themes. Maybe what we are seeing here is the present and future for young people. Three stars: the film is very memorable, but not at all enjoyable.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This was a dismal viewing experience that really did nothing for me. Turgidly directed, this is a tedious and banal affair that the critics will probably love for it's supposed `edginess'. It tells the story of Brandon (Fassbender), a rich city type with an addiction to sex. But only sex where women are objectified and degraded, when it comes to a real relationship he just can't function. Thrown in is a contrived troubled relationship with his sister Sissy (an unimpressive Carey Mulligan) who comes to stay. There is obviously something bad between them from the past but this is not explored.
We follow Brandon as his addiction and frustration with his sister lead him to dark places. There's not really enough to the story to sustain the film through its 100 minute runtime, the character study elements are tedious and heavy handed. Though Fassbender (who impressed me earlier last year in Jane Eyre) is a good actor and manages to bring some life to Brandon despite a terrible script, the rest of the cast let the side down badly, especially Mulligan. The lack of any chemistry or emotional impact from the interactions of the characters makes this a pointless viewing exercise. With not much story and its failure as a character study I am guessing the sex scenes are there to raise viewing figures by drawing in the dirty mac brigade. Sorry to disappoint, but the scenes are shot in such a way as to emphasise Brandon's objectification of women rather than with titillation in mind, and as such there is no entertainment to be found there either. On top of all this there is a truly painful scene in which Mulligan sings `New York, New York'. It's a great song, and she's a surprisingly good singer, but whoever forced her to sing it in that fashion should be locked up.... Read more ›
We follow Brandon as his addiction and frustration with his sister lead him to dark places. There's not really enough to the story to sustain the film through its 100 minute runtime, the character study elements are tedious and heavy handed. Though Fassbender (who impressed me earlier last year in Jane Eyre) is a good actor and manages to bring some life to Brandon despite a terrible script, the rest of the cast let the side down badly, especially Mulligan. The lack of any chemistry or emotional impact from the interactions of the characters makes this a pointless viewing exercise. With not much story and its failure as a character study I am guessing the sex scenes are there to raise viewing figures by drawing in the dirty mac brigade. Sorry to disappoint, but the scenes are shot in such a way as to emphasise Brandon's objectification of women rather than with titillation in mind, and as such there is no entertainment to be found there either. On top of all this there is a truly painful scene in which Mulligan sings `New York, New York'. It's a great song, and she's a surprisingly good singer, but whoever forced her to sing it in that fashion should be locked up.... Read more ›
24 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Directed by Steve McQueen, "Shame" explores sexual addiction, alienation, and loneliness in contemporary New York City. With its many sex scenes, the film manages to be unerotic. The movie and its actors have received numerous accolades. The acting is convincing and the scenes of city life well drawn. Many viewers will find this film disturbing.
The film stars Michael Fassbender as a successful 30ish professional named Brandon who cannot control his sexual appetites or channel his sexuality into a relationship. Brandon is both a predator and a victim. He is apparently able to pick up attractive similarly lonely women on the spot for short encounters. Brandon also uses the services of prostitutes. When he is home alone, he watches pornography and camgirls on his computer. He gets confronted with a wide range of pornographic material on his office computer. He is unable to function in an attempted relationship with a coworker, Marianne, (Nichole Beharie) which involves attempted emotion beyond sex. Fassbender plays this role well in his lines, dress, gestures, and facial expressions. He has a sense of decency and is at war with himself.
The other primary character in "Shame" is Brandon's younger sister Sissie played by Carrie Mulligan. Sissie has suicidal tendencies and is emotionally needy. She moves in with Brandon early in the film and the emotional tension mounts between the siblings as the movie progresses. Each sees the serious, devastating issues in the life of the other. Brandon's sexual addition and his relationship with Sissie become intertwined and form the two themes of this movie.
The movie makes have use of atmosphere to establish the sordid character of Brandon's mind.... Read more ›
The film stars Michael Fassbender as a successful 30ish professional named Brandon who cannot control his sexual appetites or channel his sexuality into a relationship. Brandon is both a predator and a victim. He is apparently able to pick up attractive similarly lonely women on the spot for short encounters. Brandon also uses the services of prostitutes. When he is home alone, he watches pornography and camgirls on his computer. He gets confronted with a wide range of pornographic material on his office computer. He is unable to function in an attempted relationship with a coworker, Marianne, (Nichole Beharie) which involves attempted emotion beyond sex. Fassbender plays this role well in his lines, dress, gestures, and facial expressions. He has a sense of decency and is at war with himself.
The other primary character in "Shame" is Brandon's younger sister Sissie played by Carrie Mulligan. Sissie has suicidal tendencies and is emotionally needy. She moves in with Brandon early in the film and the emotional tension mounts between the siblings as the movie progresses. Each sees the serious, devastating issues in the life of the other. Brandon's sexual addition and his relationship with Sissie become intertwined and form the two themes of this movie.
The movie makes have use of atmosphere to establish the sordid character of Brandon's mind.... Read more ›
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Empty
There is no question that Michael Fassbender (Brandon) gives an extraordinary performance at the center of Shame, naked both figuratively and literately. Read more
Published 15 hours ago by Lendrick
4.0 out of 5 stars
GET OUT OF MY ROOM!
This is an artsy adult film about a socially inept man addicted to porn, particularly Internet porn. His NY apartment is furnished a bit Spartan. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel guilty you love porn
A film about obsession for sex, lost and regret. Was absolutely shocking for me and it made me think of all this sick society. Brill movie director.
Published 21 days ago by Corina
1.0 out of 5 stars
waste of time
I found the film boring and a waste of an evening.
The main character was unbelievable ...seems every woman wants to have sex with him. Read more
The main character was unbelievable ...seems every woman wants to have sex with him. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Boz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just like watching one of my home movies...
...just kidding.
A great film I thought. Fassbender was excellent, as was Mulligan. Both are building fantastic bodies of work. Read more
A great film I thought. Fassbender was excellent, as was Mulligan. Both are building fantastic bodies of work. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. T. Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fassbender, what a revelation
Shame as to be one of the best films I've seen in years, the intensity in Fassbender's performance is something to see and experience.
Published 1 month ago by A O Okhumoya
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very daring
Thoroughly enjoyable and very explicit scenes without being pornographic, a worthwhile purchase which can be enjoyed repeatedly, so glad i purchased it
Published 2 months ago by Reg Bourne
1.0 out of 5 stars
Shame on me for watching this movie
I thought Hunger was an amazing movie. Well done to the director (McQueen) for that masterpiece. However shame on me. Yes, Shame on me for watching this car crash of a movie. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Billy Ray Cyrus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shamelessly brilliant.
That is what it is. Just shamelessly brilliant. Steve McQueen is a super talented director and and one to watch out for new upcoming movies like first to come 12 Years A Slave (... Read more
Published 2 months ago by sunrisespacelab
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought Provoking Drama
Simply loved that so much was left up to the viewer's imagination. Not an easy film to watch at times and none of the characters particularly nice people, but so glad I did! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Miss Susan Park
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