I watched Shame on Saturday evening, first film seen of this year. I really liked Hunger, in fact I really ought to see it again. I liked Steve McQueen’s style too, although I admit one does sit there and wander why some long, drawn out scenes aren’t edited, but this is his way. I enjoyed the performances of Fassbender, and indeed enjoyed the majority of the film. It seemed to be in places a companion piece to American Psycho but with no Huey Lewis (now that’s a shame).
It’s not a long film, but I felt the last 20-30 minutes could have been cut further. Lot of anguished shots of Fassbender’s character, an absolutely needless long montage of him engaging in a threesome, but that is clearly how McQueen likes to shoot. The scene of Fassbender’s character, Brandon running along Midtown streets whilst his sister is ‘occupied’ with his boss is glorious and much has been said of Carey Mulligan’s rendition of ‘New York, New York’. It didn’t bring a tear to my eye, but that’s because i’m a cold hearted bastard.
If I had to rate it, it would be 3/5 star film. I enjoyed the bleak humour and the acting is first rate. It doesn’t stick in the mind as much as Hunger which is superior.
