Brilliantly written, cunningly directed and very disturbing Shame gives a fly on the wall view of eroticism. What makes this film a work of art however, comes with the fine acting by Fassbender and Carey Mulligan who give outstanding performances. Now available in a Blu-ray Combo Pack 2 Disc set.
The story centers on Brandon (Michael Fassbender) a successful businessman in New York’s fast lane that can’t feel love with his women, but still craves them for sex. He frequents places where he can hook up with ladies who either just want a good time or receive money for their services. His thirst for power over women has driven him nearly insane. When his outlandish sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) moves in with him on the pretext that she will get a job to be able to go out on her own, Brandon’s troubles start to escalate beyond his mental control.
Amusing and different are the best words I can come up with at the time of writing my review. Shame is amusing in that it provides a voyeur’s window on Brandon’s erotic world allowing us the audience to judge his way of life. Totally off the wall, suggestions of incest and a sordid series of romps the film can be easily called a soft porno. The movie gets sometimes disgusting yet it’s very hard to turn away.
Shame is also different as it breaks the mold of the ordinary. The film shows the bizarre, prurient, yet touching and sad. Director Steve McQueen makes his film imposing, almost forceful in that one becomes compelled to watch this out of control person and become mesmerized by his actions and emotions. Like a surgeon McQueen slices off pieces of Brandon then turns on Sissy, dissecting inhibitions, desires, and tarnished pasts.
This is probably Fassbender’s best work, although I have yet to see Prometheus scheduled for release this year, but I venture to say that Science Fiction will never replace a dramatic narrative. Under McQueen’s direction Fassbender becomes this troubled man and provides us with a drifter lost in a void of a domineering past and harboring shameful desires.
In crafty support or maybe even a duel lead, Mulligan as Sissy shows her stuff as a wandering control freak that knows how to press her brother’s buttons. She’s well aware of Brandon’s compulsive addiction to sex and she uses this to get her way and have power over his life. Flaunting her escapades before Brandon, she teases him until he gives in to her desires.
The Shame Blu-ray Combo Pack presentation features a premium high definition Blu-ray loaded with special features, a DVD version of the film and Digital Copy. Get a behind-the-scenes look at McQueen’s groundbreaking vision with exclusive extras and featurettes.
Shame Blu-ray Combo Pack Features:
- Focus on Michael Fassbender – Here Fassbender explains the role of Brandon and why the character has this self-loathing and shame.
- Director Steve McQueen – On directing a sexual psychological film and his approach to it.
- The Story of Shame- An interview with McQueen, Fassbender and Carey Mulligan about their roles
- A Shared Vision – A quick behind thee scenes that includes how McQueen chose his actors
- Fox Movie Channel Presents: In Character With Michael Fassbender – A filmed short that aired on the Fox Movie Channel featuring Fassbender who goes into details on the film including the chemistry between actor and director.
Shame has been rated NC-17 by the MPAA for some explicit sexual content and can now be viewed in the privacy of your own home. Often times distasteful and lust driven, this film should only be seen by those who are mature.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Call it art, call it eroticism, or both. [rating=5]
- Specifications and additional film information:
- Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Lucy Walters, and Mari-Ange Ramirez
- Directed by: Steve McQueen
- Rating: NC-17 for some explicit sexual content
- Genre: Drama and Art/Foreign
- Movie Running Time: 1 hr 39 min
- Street Date: April 17, 2012
- Original Theatrical Release Date: February 2012
- Language: English
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (DVD- English 5.1 Digital Dolby)
- Video: Color, 16X9 Widescreen 2.35:1
- Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
- Awards: Nominated for Golden Globe for Best Actor, Motion Picture – Drama
- Number of Discs: 2
- Distributed by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
