Shame

I actually went to the cinema to see this, having discovered that I'm actually a student and they pay less for stuff.  I went during the day, to see what is the fuss about matinee shows; there were about 10 other people there, every person on their own and sitting far apart.  I wondered if this was an ironic reflection of the film itself, 'Shame', or if this was the norm for daytime cinema-ing.  I was of a different sex, and of a lower age group and probable IQ score, to everyone around me and so decided it might be appropriate to crunch my pop corn during the trailors.

Steve McQueen's "Shame" is a film based in New York, about 30 something Brandon and his insatiable addiction to sex.  The film begins with a sequence of his encounters:  prostitutes, one night stands, porn, masturbation, flirting with strangers, more masturbation, more porn and more prostitutes.  The film is set in a cold harsh light and each scene is bold and fearless.   There is a lot of nudity and sex - it is not an erotic film however - it is ugly and detached and totally loveless.

Through-out this beautifully raw and brutally honest film, Brandon - in an Oscar worthy, brilliant performance by Michael Fassbender - is continually seeking ways to get himself off.  The scenes are shocking and at times hard to watch, this is not a film for everyone, however it is a stunning portrayal of how damaging sexual addiction can be to a person's life, a person's soul, a person's state of mind.  Brandon is able to get kicks easily.  His boss and friend desperately and awkwardly tries to chat women up, but fails;  Brandon effortlessly picks up the conquest and ravishes her in a quiet street before heading home.  There is a great scene at the start of the film where he flirts at a distance with a young woman on the subway.  Suggestive body language and coy glances suggest she wants his attention, we expect him to pursue and he does - the girl on the subway however is merely enjoying the moment and in a sudden rush of reality, remembers she is married and tries to communicate this with him.  He fails to understand and chases her anyway.  This is where he falls short in life - Brandon only thinks about sex - he has no desire for commitment or consequence and this scene offers us a small glimpse into his dark empty soul.  Later on in the film however he is back on the same subway and flirting with the same girl.  This time she flirts with more confidence.  It's in this scene when Brandon realises that he is not alone in his sexual torment - she wants to flirt despite her previous fright and the fact she is married, she wants to take it a step further with each encounter.  Would Brandon eventually be able to seduce her?  We are led to believe so; we can share Brandon's sad realisation and disappointment.  The acting in this film is top class, Fassbender is at the top of his game.

Brandon's life is interrupted by Cissy, his troubled sister who turns to him for a place to stay.  Throughout every scene with the siblings there are incredibly intimate moments between the two, he discovers her in the shower and they have a full conversation whilst she stands unashamedly naked; she invites herself into his bed for warmth and snuggles into him; his angry confrontation whilst naked after she discovers him masturbating in the bathroom.  It is an odd relationship; I find it somewhat devastating that a brother and sister can be so close and open with one another physically but so cold and resentful emotionally.

Casey Mulligan plays the character of Cissy with a beautiful innocence.  She is a lost soul; one who craves attention and protection from people around her.  Her performance of "New York, New York" is stunning and mesmerising, indeed making Brandon cry (one of only two scenes we see a real emotion from him).  We hear her begging a nameless ex over the phone; she sleeps with Brandon's previously mentioned (and also married - this film makes it clear that there is no one who isn't under the dominion of sex) boss and then constantly harasses him afterwards.  In a blatant cry for help, she attempts suicide after it becomes clear that Brandon - the one person she thought she should be able to rely on - can't and won't help her.  Waking up with him at her side she mutters "Shit dad"; as if it explains everything.   Cissy is desperate to escape this world whereas Brandon has become a slave to it.  He finds a connection with a work mate but after a successful date, finds that he can't perform sexually with her.  He can't because sex has become so meaningless to him, that to have sex with someone he might care for is impossible.  Perhaps this mirrors his relationship with his sister.  How can he care about someone when his life is so empty and loveless.  He tells her to leave his apartment and his life, that she is a burden to him.  This of course devastates her and she begs Brandon to turn to her for mutual help:  "If I left I would never hear from you again.  Don't you think that's sad?  You're my brother."  Brandon is a prisoner to his addiction.  He needs his next hit and doesn't care where he gets it from.  He even visits a gay club to find fellatio.

Throughout the events in the film, Brandon is constantly aware of how pathetic a situation he has found himself in.  Completely free from passion or emotion, he lives for the physical gratifications of sex.  Nothing stimulates him mentally or emotionally, and we and indeed Brandon himself, come to this conclusion.  In a build up to the gutting attempted suicide scene, Brandon creates some entertainment for himself by coming on strongly to a woman in a bar, a woman who is clearly with a boyfriend.  He gropes her and talks dirty to her, she appears to enjoy it.  When confronted by her boyfriend he is rude and crass and this leads to him being beaten up.  A physical stimulation once again, it is all he seems to be able to enjoy.

An accident on the subway brings home the realisation that Cissy really needs him and he rushes home to find and save her.  Upon finding her he calls for an ambulance then runs away.  He runs to the riverside for comfort - a place he visits regularly when in need of introspection - and breaks down.  Perhaps this might be a new dawn for Brandon, the usual film maker would use this as an obvious climax to change the fate of their character but for Brandon it is just a blip.  The film ends with him and his two hired prostitutes, a scene which certainly for me, is more ugly and more uncomfortable to watch then any of the other scenes in the film.  It marks the end of the film but not the end of Brandon's problems; they are escalating and we are left with futile feelings of despair that he won't ever really change.

McQueen has done something amazing here.  This film is undoubtedly not for the average movie goer and incredibly difficult to take.  But he has created a piece of cinema so honest and audacious in it's content, it's cinematography (there is a midnight jogging session scene which absolutely blew me away), it's acting performances - honestly, this better win something - it's confidence and it's vulnerability.  I have not seen McQueen's previous Fassbender film 'Hunger' yet but if 'Shame' is anything to go by, I can almost taste it.