Shame
Directed by Steve McQueen
Starring Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie
Plot
Brandon (Fassbender) is a sex addict living in New York, whose lifestyle and obsession turns into self-destruction when his young, erratic sister Sissy (Mulligan) comes to stay.
I had wanted to watch Shame for a while, and as I had some time to kill today waiting for my new laptop to be delivered (which I am in love with, by the way!), I took the opportunity to finally see it on Netflix.
Seconds in to the film, I realised I wasn't quite emotionally prepared for it. It starts with a macabre scene between Brandon and a strange women on the tube, where playful flirting soon becomes uncomfortable, interspersed with shots of him paying women for sex. We soon identify Brandon as an extremely lonely man with an uncontrollable habit. I will warn you, if easily offended by sexual scenes or nudity, then steer clear of this one, because there's a lot of it. The whole film is very up-close and personal, particularly with Michael Fassbender, but what I think the director has done so well is make the sex scenes totally devoid of emotion and deglamourised (is that a word?), making them part of the story rather than gratuitous.
The only glimmer of hope we see is Brandon attempting to start a relationship with colleague Marianne; their chemistry in a voyeuristic scene of their first date brought a genuine smile to my face, and their almost-love scene is the only romantic one of the film.
Michael Fassbender is just incredible in this film. He fully commits himself to the role, and I think he is one of the best actors around at the moment. He simultaneously conveys the sinking feeling of despair with the mask of a charming man. Carey Mulligan is also brilliant, in probably the most outspoken role I've seen her in. She is brash and troubled and mesmerizing, and the scenes between Sissy and Brandon are the best of the film. The one seen from behind them on the sofa (in the image above), where Brandon finally expresses his anger towards her, had me holding my breath, it was so full of tension.
The direction is stunning, too; the shots are long and static (Sissy singing in the club, Brandon running off his impulses), often focusing on the characters midriffs rather than their faces, and this gives a very realistic feel. This realism is also created through the minimal dialogue and the fact a lot is expressed visually rather than verbally. Shame has been criticised for not having enough development of the siblings' troubled past (which was obviously influential in who they are now), but I think this reflects reality; unlike some, more mainstream, films, where character backgrounds are nicely summed up in a speech or a flashback, here the audience are left to imagine it for themselves. The soundtrack of mostly hypnotising classical piano music is also brilliant, giving a kind of poetic feel. That sounded kind of cheesy, but you'll know what I mean if you see it.
Shame has had a mixed reception; some felt it lacked in storyline, others think it a masterpiece. I personally loved it...it is more an observation into someone's life than a full story arc, making the emotion in it all the more visceral and moving.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Not quite perfect, but just about. Oh, and don't watch it with your parents, could get a little awkward.
Have you seen Shame?
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.....this is going to be a bumpy ride.'
Apologies for it having been so long since a new post; I've been busy starting my second year at uni, and wanted to work on redesigning the layout of my blog (though it is still a working progress), so I hope you like it!
I've seen a lot of great films recently, so wanted to write a few reviews. First up is:
Zombieland
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156398/
Zombieland is the tale of Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a slightly awkward sociopath with a phobia of everything who is one of the few humans left in a zombie-infested world due to a list of rules for survival. He begins a journey to discover the fate of his parents and comes across a lively gang along the way, consisting of Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and sister act Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin).
Rule No. 18: Limber Up
For starters, the acting is simply brilliant. There is no weak link in the foursome; each is witty and excellent, and they gel together perfectly considering their only other co stars (with the exception of Bill Murray) are blood-crazed zombies.
Rule No. 17: Don't Be A Hero
Jesse Eisenberg is one of my favourite actors; his subtle yet remarkable performances in films like The Social Network and Adventureland are full of smartly spoken dialogue and dripping with sarcasm. He does well at making Columbus nervous and lonely, but incredibly likeable.
Rule No. 8: Get A Kick-Ass Partner
The first companion Columbus acquires is the steely, hot-headed Tallahassee, a man who thoroughly enjoys ripping zombies to shreds and is unstoppable in his quest for his favourite snack, the illusive Twinkie. I love Woody Harrelson in just about everything; he's quirky, gritty, and an amazing presence on the screen.
'When Tallahassee goes Hulk on a zombie, he sets the standard for 'not to be fucked with"
Columbus and Tallahassee set off on their travels, and everything goes well until they meet their match in sisters Wichita and Little Rock. Both Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin are naturals and make for some of the best moments in the film, not least how they fool the two boys. Twice.
Rule No. 31: Check The Back Seat
Emma Stone, I believe, is one the best comic actresses in film at the moment. She has a way of bringing a script into reality, and has an ease in front of the camera that always makes her so enjoyable to watch (her performance in Easy A is outstanding).
'It's amazing how fast the world can go from bad to total shit storm.'
Zombieland is short (only around 80 minutes), snappy, and seriously smart. There are genuinely hilarious moments throughout, full of fantastic one liners delivered by a superb cast. The story is simple but well executed, and there is a comic book feel to it (especially in the theme park section) that really suits the genre and enhances the zombie-killing action. Eisenberg's deadpan narration really makes the film, as does the idea of the survival rules appearing on screen when relevant (again adding to the sense of the characters living in a comic book, or even a virtual game-world). The tentative relationship between Columbus and Wichita does seem almost like a generic required romantic element, but makes for some nice scenes and brings the group together.
It's a whole lot of funny with just the right amount of emotion, and will definitely become one of my favourites.
Rule No. 32: Enjoy The Little Things.
Verdict: The American equivalent of the excellent Shaun of the Dead.
Rating: 5/5
Watch this film!
Thanks for reading!
Sophie.
