It's hard to define "Shame" in few sentences... Typing the word "resume" and then trying to fit all the emotions in a couple of sentences is a torture. You cannot possibly try and explain "Shame", a movie that tries to explore many human flaws within themselves and outside them. Flaws that define you everyday life, and in your communication, in ways they shield you or you choose them as protection... See... that alone leaves me confused... McQueen's artistic touch to every shot is so carefully planned, so carefully thought of, so beautifully staged, that you may ultimately stay puzzled. "Shame" is one of those movies that make keep you guessing, leave you impressed (or disgusted - you never know people), and it's exactly one of those movies that'll keep your head busy. You'll be drinking coffee, or tea, smoking a cigarette, or lock yourself out, or (if you've got something against sex, and human inability to control urges - we're talking about flaws right?) you'll forget about that movie right away... That's not an easy topic to talk about, and it's even harder to film that kind of a movie...
Steve McQueen has flirted with erotic topics before. One of his first short movies with himself in it (as described by many) keeps viewers guessing about homoerotic relations between two men (Bear 1993). I haven't seen it, but after watching a powerful "Shame" I read about him. I may only guess (of course after watching "Shame" and after reading about him, and his works) that McQueen as an artist and director is a deeply empathetic person, who's fairly deeply interested in human desires, weaknesses, and hypocrisy concerning sex. I'm not to judge or take sides, for it's really not worth it. For it's really one of those movies that is very personal and it's up to you to decide. That specific vulgar topic for some, or beautiful for others is out now, so deal with it, and deal with yourselves. And yet, that movie is not only about sexual addiction, or inability to feel and share your warmth with anyone else, even your sister. "Shame" is about, in my humble ipinion, is how you live and interact with the outer world. It could be about your Ability to feel. Your Ability to share. Your Ability to care. It's about certain amount of responsibility. And perhaps many more... as much as you can see farther. And perhaps I couldn't see that far. Yet I feel moved. I feel shaken. I may not really understand other existential ideas, other layers to characters and their relationships... but I feel moved.
A scene in a bar with Carrey Mulligan (Sissy - David's Sister) singing "New York, New York" bedazzles me. I literally can't take my eyes of her. A long shot, with Carrey's face looking and singing directly at you, feels like magic. I feel moved. Opening scenes and Fassbender's (David himself) absolutely emotionless face. I feel moved. Fassbender's smile on a date unsettles me. I see a man who's not used to smiling at all. I see a man who's trying hard to be just like everyone else. A scene in a restaurant where David takes Marianne (Nicole Beharie) for a date seems very regular, but it's unnerving because you know more about David than anyone else, and certainly more than Marianne. That's why you see an increasingly insecure man who really wants to be just like everyone else. He, who really knows his flaws, and once caught by his sister Sissy masturbating in a bathroom, decides to change for the better. And I may use our dear Dr. Houses's expression: "People don't change." It seems that most of the time, the most troubled of us, fully, or in many ways, see our own insecurities, and may even understand reasons behind it, and try, try, to get out of it. Give it up, and just once be fine or regular. Just like David, he who purely depends on physical, really tries to open his soul. But that's beyond what he can. After trying a notch, he dives deep into the ocean of his true self. He can't change. He's afraid. It's too much for him.
Sissy is too much for him. He loves her so much, that he'd rather give her up and forget her, rather than live with her and see her trying to kill herself, once again. She's just too much for him, and her emotions, her inability to control and her overall dependence upon anyone she meets, or has sex with. Sissy is right there, in his room, crying for help, crying for understanding, she knows that she'll do it again, over and over. She'll cut herself and she truly believes that her older brother may take care of her. Must take care of her. In some way for David she's a disaster. She's a hurricane that makes him think he can give it all up with a single push. He once believes that if he simply wants it, he'll do it. He'll give it up. As said above - he can't. David locked himself up in his comfort zone, and he can't take care of her (which can be seen in one of the last scene in the movie). He can take care of himself only because he locked himself up in physical emotionless sex. Sissy wants to open him up and she needs to be cared about, yet she doesn't realize how vulnerable her brother is once he opens up.
From beginning to end it's an exploration of human soul. McQueen's cinematography, directing, and writing is great. Once I finished it, I felt like he really knows what he's doing. Not only in terms of the artistic touch to every scene, but also in terms of the essence of the movie. He seemed very clear about that. "Shame" has it's drama, a real life drama. It's got what makes a great picture that's been painted for a long time by a painter. Every detail is worked hard upon. Nothing is left unnoticed. Everything is perfectly balanced. Fassbender and Mulligan, soundtrack and cinematography, dialogues and behaviour.
I suggest you watch it. It may really not matter that the movie is about sex, or it may really matter that it's about sex. What may matter to you, is that you may want to spend a few extra minutes alone to think over. Think about your own self and what keeps you going. Although we're in effect all quite selfish, I think there's no harm in spending just a few more minutes in the company of you.
A few words about Fassbender and Mulligan. Fassbender is so humble and powerful. He'll keep your heart pumping and your mind swirling around. Just watch the movie and see how he acts as David. You'll see David's sad artificial smile, he despair, his love, his rage, his insecurity, and perhaps even many more... It's not that you'll definitely see it, but in many scenes you'll feel it. Carrey Mulligan is great, especially in that single scene where she sings. It seems that every scene she acted here is important and she was equally as great as Fassbender. It's rare that just two actors can make a great movie (there are of course exceptions), and it's rare to make a movie with just two of them. McQueen was resourcefull in making that work. The three of them (Fassbender, Mulligan, and McQueen) made even silence speak, and in half the movie it was more important than dialogue.
Script is great. Cinematography is great. Directing is great. Acting is great. Watch it. Spend some time exploring your inner self. Even if Dr. House thinks people don't change, you may have a better understaning of yourself or people around you. (But don't just think it's all about sex) :)
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