Shame (2011)
It is really great to see a movie that shows a man with sexual issues where it isn’t just played for laughs. I was thinking that Isabelle Huppert would have played the female version of this movie. Which she sort of has with The Piano Teacher. I love how McQueen utilizes some great long takes that let’s the scene unfolds, giving enough time for the characters emotions surface. While it isn’t exactly a plot-heavy movie, it never gets boring or uninteresting. It respects the viewer by not needing to show or explain every minor event leading to the next, which can easily be inferred. I like that “economic” way of storytelling that gives room to the characters. That a movie with so much sex never becomes erotic is a testament to McQueen’s directorial focus, underlining Brandon’s lack of emotional capabilities as the addiction has taken over, removing all intimacy from his sexuality.
Rating: 4