Shame

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself

I thought Steve McQueen's Hunger was interesting and featured a dedicated performance from Michael Fassbender but in the end wasn't really my cup of tea. I'd say the same about this film except many the last part, I was hooked on this film much easier.

There's a much larger story that's hinted at over the course of the film and I was waiting for the inevitable exposition but McQueen seems content to let the audience fill in the blanks or indeed forget about them completely. And it's true, the film stands alone, it doesn't need any backstory or rationalisations for these characters and their actions and relationships.

What we end up with is a slow building character study with more than a few long single take scenes examining the life of someone struggling with what is more than likely a serious addiction.

While the film feels evasive at times that only emphasises our character plight. Add to that an ending that's left open to interpretation and you have a film designed with ninja like precision to generate discussion for one reason or another.

Of course the other reason being how casually nude Fassbender is in certain scenes. The depiction of sex is frank and given Fassbender's character is largely emotionless. I think he was snubbed an oscar nom as he does brilliant work here.

Likewise Carey Mulligan, who gets to play a bit of a different role to what I've seen her do in the past, is great too. And we get to hear her entire rendition of New York, New York. That, along with a few other scenes I felt went on a bit but that's a minor grievance in an otherwise intriguing film.