SHAME/ FILM
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Shame
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A nymphomaniac’s carefully cultivated private life falls apart after his sister arrives for an indefinite stay.
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- Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
- 51 wins & 94 nominations total
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A Guide to the Films of Steve McQueen
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Featured reviews
Michael Fassbender is insanely brilliant.
“We’re not bad people. We just come from a bad place.”
The film is profoundly sad. It brilliantly depicts what is the true effect of addiction. How it sucks the life out of someone until they are forced to give in to their desire, thus becoming just a hollow shell of a person. The whole thing has an unsettling vibe to it, and the color tone and cinematography do help the story to move forward. Steve McQueen as a director really shines here. He tells the story with subtlety, like there some scenes where the characters don’t say much, and he relies on visuals to do the work.
As for the acting, Michael Fassbender is insanely brilliant as he is in all of his other films. This role requires a lot from him like he has to be charismatic, also has to bring a sense of vulnerability to the character which he does amazingly. Carey Mulligan’s character is sort of this broken person who clearly has a past with her brother, at least that’s what I got from some of their awkward encounters.
It’s kind of a tough film to sit through, so it’s not recommended for everyone.
Actions Speak Louder than Words
I am truly shocked by the people criticizing this film for lack of substance. I’ve seen comments about how there is limited dialogue, and therefore no character development, and hardly any story. Did we watch the same film? I’m thinking we must not have.
Shame dives into the life of a man living with an addiction to sex. The first 10 minutes of this movie effectively introduces him, his addiction, his relationship with humanity (sister included), and barely uses any words to do so. You shouldn’t need a lot of dialogue when emotions are conveyed with facial expressions, effective cinematography, and great editing. This film is loaded with all of that.
Obviously films are subjective, but I feel those who say they didn’t get to “know’ the characters at all must always need everything spoon fed to them. I am not a sex addict, but still connected with both Fassbender and Mulligan. I found the development both subtle and extremely realistic. Does everything need to always have that Hollywood ending? Should everything get wrapped up nicely and leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling when you walk out of the theater? I definitely don’t think so.
Anybody who does need that probably shouldn’t watch any Steve McQueen films. Anyone who can appreciate a raw, subtle, and beautifully made film should go watch Shame.
Becoming even more of a Fassbender Fan
This film instantly drew me in. Fassbender’s performance is complex and truly believable.I can honestly say that if you are not haunted by the torment of both Michael Fassbender’s and Carey Mulligan’s performance, then you are in denial. The pain is apparent, the intrigue of what happened to these siblings is staring you in the face throughout the film. The role’s Fassbender has chosen lately have made me an ultimate fan! Another McQueen movie, HUNGER, also stars Fassbender as an Irishman in political protest against the corrupt government of the “80’s. I tremendously enjoy watching him on the screen. Michael Fassbender relays raw emotion and true passion to create believable and relatable characters. Im looking forward to future projects.
Does To Sex What ‘Requiem For A Dream’ Did To Drugs
Steven McQueen’s sophomore effort is a powerfully compelling, unflinchingly graphic & downright disturbing arthouse endeavour that shows that something even as coveted as sex can have destructive consequences if the need for it spirals out of control. Powered by sturdy performance from Michael Fassbender, Shame does to sex what Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend did to alcohol and Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream did to drugs.
What the hell happened to Brandon and Sissy as children?
Mental Illness done with an outsider looking in. The trauma in their childhood must have been great for these two to suffer what the viewer is witnessing. Any addiction is difficult to watch. I was exhausted after watching this film. Like a hunter Brandon’s thirst could never be quenched. He is existing not living. There are so many facets to this fim that are interesting: the boss David’s ability to have a family and indulge in sex on the side, people’s willingness to go to a bar and have sex with a stranger and then go on with their lives, unaffected. Yet Brandon, with no ties to anyone, is smoldering and suffocating in the weight of his obsession. A good study in human behavior. I don’t like sex in film for sensationalism but the sex in this film was like another character, the antagonist.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe first time Michael Fassbender saw the film was with his father Josef. Both were relieved that his mother Adele could not make the screening.
- GoofsWhen Brandon is on the subway looking at the woman we see Fulton behind him on the wall of the subway tunnel. The train moves and a few minutes have passed. Next, when the woman exists the train and he follows her, we see that they are again at Fulton station.
- QuotesSissy Sullivan: We’re not bad people. We just come from a bad place.
- Crazy creditsNo opening credits apart from the movie’s title.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Venice Film Festival 2011 (2011)
- SoundtracksAria from the Goldberg Variations
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Glenn Gould
Courtesy of Sony Masterworks and the Glenn Gould Estate
Licensed by Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Shame: deseos culpables
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $6,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,909,002
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $361,000
- Dec 4, 2011
- Gross worldwide
- $19,083,146
See detailed box office info on IMDbPro
Tech specs
- Runtime
- 1h 41m(101 min)
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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