Shame

Movie Name: Shame

Year of Release: 2011

Director: Steve McQueen

Stars: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie, Alex Manette, Hannah Ware, Rachel Farrar, Robert Montano

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Director and artist Steve McQueen is back, after his debut with "Hunger". "Shame" follows the story of Brandon Sullivan, a young man living in downtown New York who is a sexual addict. Brandon lives a comfortable life and engages in multiple sexual encounters with women, both ones he meets casually or through the Internet. When his sister comes to stay with him, she sets off a series of events that leads Brandon to question his own identity.
Steve McQueen probes the deeps of addiction with "Shame". Brandon uses sex as a means to overcome the fact he can't connect with people on any other level. This is a man who doesn't really understand the notion of a relationship and who shies away from any intimate relationship, since that implies investing something of himself in it. Even his relationship with his sister is strained due to this. Both siblings are damaged, unable to cope with others, but while Sissy directs most of her pain towards herself, with repeated suicide attempts, Brandon just keeps perpetuating sexual encounters that are meaningless and empty. His pain continues and persists, and his decay and realization doesn't come without a hefty price. This is a great look at the depths of addiction, at the ghosts that haunt people's lives. The film is superbly acted by both Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan who build not superficial characters, but people who are pierced with agonizing grief. A film to watch!