Shame review

Sissy Sullivan: I'm trying, I'm trying to help you. 
Brandon Sullivan: How are you helping me, huh? How are you helping me? How are you helping me? Huh? Look at me. You come in here and you're a weight on me. Do you understand me? You're a burden. You're just dragging me down. How are you helping me? You can't even clean up after yourself. Stop playing the victim. 

Director: Steve McQueen
(2011)

Shame is one of those films that, upon its limited 2011 debut, nobody watched. It became yet another film to be swept under the rug, never to be given the chance that it truly deserved. Hell even starring the wonderfully talented Michael Fassbender-the best thing about Xmen First Class-couldn’t pull an audience. In some sense it’s easy to see why. Shame is a powerful and provocative film, equal parts brilliant and harrowing, undoubtedly the diamond in the rough that was 2011.

Writer/Director Steve McQueen approaches Shame in a way that allows for a semi original story to be told in a fresh and engaging manner. It focuses on Brandon (Fassbender), a middle class bachelor living in New York. He has a seemingly comfortable existence, a nice apartment and a job that appears to pay excellent money. Yet Brandon’s existence is constrained by his near crippling addiction to sex, an obsession that he must plan his life around in order to keep it on a tight leash. He pays call girls for sex, frequently watches porn, masturbates in the toilets while at work and carefully cultivates his routine so his indulgence in women can be as simple as possible. The delicate equilibrium of Brandon's life is completely shattered upon the arrival of his sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan), and he begins to spiral out of control.

Soon we see the lengths Brandon goes to in order to gain his fix as the burdens of Sissy’s appearance presses down on him, aptly portrayed by McQueen by using long, drawn out takes. Yet Fassbender and Mulligan never strain to hold character; they inhabit the role like it’s their own skin. From awkward dates where Brandon's sexual desires simmer under his hollow smile to a fraught and intense argument between brother and sister, the acting never lets up for a second.

McQueen excellently tackles the thorny and at times harrowing theme of sex addiction. And while any form of intercourse gets Brandon off, this theme of doing anything to get a fix has a far more universal appeal than it initially suggests, thus preventing the plot from alienating the audience. The sexual content isn’t censored in any way, with both director and actor seemingly happy to show everything in order to purvey the strong themes that reside at the core of the film. Yet nothing is ever gratuitous, and what is shown is graphic but not arousing, explicit but never unnecessary. McQueen doesn’t pull his punches, a choice that rightfully earns this an adult certificate.

Beyond the brilliant opening and climax, Shame is seemingly content at being solid in the space in-between. There are some good moments, Mulligan’s rendition of New York New York and Brandon’s unbroken jog through the streets of Manhattan, but very few leap out as excellent. While this spaces out the uncomfortable peaks, McQueen is happy for the pace to meander with little in the way of destination. Yet strangely he never feels like he isn’t in control, almost like some sort of self imposed restraint. The overall quality of the film suffers oh so slightly, but it does make the highs (if they can be called that) seem even more spectacular. In a way parallels can be made to Darren aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream, a film that takes its time before climaxing with an emotionally obliterating finale.

While there is a small shred of information to speculate with, backstory between the siblings is unfortunately a little too scarce. There's no need for excessive exposition or flashbacks, such a style would juxtapose with what McQueen is saying, but a little more light on their shared history would have gone along way. Yet despite his control and dedication the plots central themes, the inclusion of a minor scene of drug abuse feels arbitrary and tacked on. The name of the game here is sex and how it controls people, half-heartedly introducing drugs halfway through was simply an awful decision. It’s not brought up again for the remainder of the film, cementing my beliefs that it’s a tacked on scene that is wholly irrelevant.

While Shame is expertly crafted and bursting with emotional resonance, it’s not a film that is a joyful, entertaining watch. It’s a stark, uncompromising portrayal of addiction complete with dark undertones and strong acting from 2 of the most talented up and coming stars. Its strong content shouldn’t be a deterrent to watching Shame; its prickly nature will prove to be an unforgettable experience.

8