Shame

Director Steve McQueen and actor Michael Fassbender came together in 2008 for the brilliant drama 'Hunger'. Now they return to look at a taboo subject.

Sex addiction is an affliction that you hear about but don't really see represented much in film and TV. There are lots of movies made about drug and alcohol addiction but sex addiction is one which is not spoken much about. I think it is because of the prudish nature of Hollywood and the USA that more films are not made about it. The only other film I can remember having a character with sex addiction was in the movie 'Choke'. There might be more though. But Steve McQueen is English so he is less prudish.

For me I did no think that Brandon's sex life was all that bad. Yes he does sleep with a lot of women and visits the bathroom during work hours but I'm not sure that I would call it an addiction. I think other films have depicted the same sort of behaviour or a lot worse. So maybe there is sex addiction in movies but it's just not called that. But the film is very subtle in its approach. We just see Brandon go about his life and we must make judgements ourselves. Things are not hammered home and over emphasised like they can be in a lot of films. We are asked to go through an emotional journey with this character. He is asked to reassess his life and what he does when his sister comes to stay with him. Up until this point he has mostly been alone and now has to change his behaviour to take into account someone else. Steve brilliantly directs the film and lets scenes linger without much editing or close-ups. I really liked the cinematography as well and the way the scenes are framed.

I believe it is the prudish nature of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that has meant Michael Fassbender did not get an Oscar nomination. Recent information has revealed that they are a mostly older group of people and so would be less likely to honour a film with this type of subject matter. I know it should not matter but it is only one group of people's opinion. Sadly it is one that gained lots of status which means it is held in high regard. I think Michael should have been nominated as he gives an amazing performance. As mentioned above it is a subtle film, so we need to analyse him to find out about his character. The fact that scenes linger means he has to emote a lot and he does it brilliantly. Equally as brilliant is Carey Mulligan. She gives a very emotionally raw performance. I don't think it is possible for her to be bad in any film that she does.

If you find sex confronting then this is probably not he film for you. Otherwise be amazed by brilliantly emotional journey of a man forced to reassess his life.