Shame

Shame



I felt no shame in enjoying this film. The large crowd in the audience might have been there for a titillating experience but they also saw some fine acting.

Brandon was a troubled young man. He certainly didn’t experience shame. He was angry, troubled and excessive. He tried to cope with his demons through excessive sex and pornography. His cupboards were filled with magazines. His boss ordered him to clean up his computer that was filled with ‘smut.’

Brandon bedded women often and when he wasn’t with a woman he was pleasuring himself. It was sad to watch because he was a handsome capable man. He had a good job and lived in a lovely apartment.

His beautiful body was not distasteful to view. (Quite the contrary) I do admit there is a lot of nudity and a lot sex. The bodies are all so beautiful. With the music playing in the background it was almost like watching a ballet.

When he isn’t having sex he can be seen watching a couple having vivid sex in the window of an apartment across the way. I suppose that is meant to show that sex was always in his thoughts.

Brandon shoves away any attempt at a real relationship. He fancies a beautiful young girl in the office. They have such fun out at dinner. It looks as if they have so much in common. They discuss relationships. She has just ended a long term liaison. He admits he has never spent more than 4 months in a relationship. She comes back to his apartment and they begin to have a sexual encounter. He stops, goes to the window and holds his head. She leaves.

His sister constantly calls him on the phone. He never answers. When she needs a place to stay she comes to his apartment. He can’t cope with her being there. It is a strange relationship and you realize that he just can’t get involved with anyone in a meaningful way.

Daily we read about some famous person who seems to be having a problem with excessive sex. This film allows you to get into the head of a person with this problem and see it from his perspective. He can’t even ride on a subway without eyeing a pretty girl. They seem to respond back to him very willingly.

Michael Fassbender is so masterful in his performance. In Venice he was awarded the prize for best actor.

The film is written and directed by Steve McQueen. It is a quiet film. There is not excessive language. I found it very powerful. Visually it is captivating. The only shame was for the poor soul who was in torment over a body he could not control.