Skip to content
Shame – 2011 McQueen
- A brave unflinching character study directed with such stylistic bravado
- New York City looks incredibly harsh here – severe- punitive – McQueen shows this with the lighting, the architecture, (that boat shot in isolation) but also in the high-rises, the running at (always alone even in a sea of people) and in the haunting rendition of “New York New York” sung by Mulligan
- Mulligan- in that scene is both acting and singing well- hard to do and it’s in a long take chopping off her forehead.
- Dogged, painful and real—the entire first date with Nicole Beharie. Wow. 6 minutes long with the waiter coming in and out. The best of neo-realism with clear improvisation and the duration of the shot working on you.
- The cold exacting Bach piano selections on the soundtrack
- McQueen uses a color palate similar to Eastwood’s run in the early 2000’s (Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby)- it’s gorgeous, greys, blues, greens—he’s one of the most talented photographers in cinema- how many other auteurs if any could make the bed sheets looks like that
- Formally wonderful subway non-dialogue sequences bookend the film (though I think Fassbender’s character seems like more of a cab guy- but what do I know?)
- Sterile—white, clear blues, grays
- more than one critic correctly points to American Psycho for a comparison to the character and all around project—I think Taxi Driver is another—you could write an amazing piece comparing
- he’s like a functioning (barely) alcoholic
- formal editing in the beginning—the blinds go up, walking around his sterile condo naked, turning on the shower, Mulligan playing on the voice mail, back to the subway in cross cut
- Fassnbender’s best work to date and that’s saying something
- There are narrative and psychological cues like Mulligan’s (his sister) not afraid of her nudity in front of her brother. McQueen keeps the camera on that. And then, more readily, she says “we’re not bad people- we just come from a bad place” which is haunting
- Long tracking shot of running in isolation.
- Character through architecture. Dazzling shot of Fassbender in the foreground with a few window lights on in this huge high-rise with people having sex over his shoulder
- Glass again and again- mirrors
- Nastiness in the dialogue- a fight between the two siblings shot in one take from behind their heads on the ouch- Bergmanesque punch in the dialogue- he eviscerates her like Winter’s Light
- Brave and uncompromising: NC-17, Fassbender doing the sex scenes- male and female
- It’s an art film- long silences, great shot of him waiting for the elevator for forever fearing for his sister
- MS/MP border- leaning masterpiece
Drake2026-02-11T07:21:44-05:00
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
@Drake- do you think that Joaquin Phoenix can play Brandon here?
I have 0% doubt about Phoenix’s emotional range. But Fassbender brings a sort of high-class, clinical detachment here (robotic almost)- can Phoenix (who would excel in a more raw, blue collar setting) nail this? He has played refined, sophisticated character in Her.
@M*A*S*H- Phoenix is just always going to be more of a shaggy dog quality to him – Fassbender’s superior looks are a big part of Brandon
@Drake-Can you see Leornardo Dicaprio in the Fassbender role in Shame? I think Phoenix is the most unique actor of that generation and it’s hard to see others in most of his roles. But not a great speech maker.
@Lionel- I think DiCaprio’s casting here is wrong on just about every level.
DiCaprio won’t have a more darker personality/ apperance required here.
Also the role is outside of DiCaprio’s range as an actor. I’ve never seen him tackle something as dynamic and complex – it would be a stretch for him.
He also can’t play detachment (very few actors can- Phoenix did it in you were never really here, Fassbender here and the killer)
He also won’t have the danger associated with the character.
@Drake- you are right but would it be a failure? Would it affect the film in a wrong way?
@M*A*S*H-How about Paul Bettany?
@Lionel- I’m sorry it’s the first time I’m hearing his name. I think I’ve not seen him in anything.
Brandon is one of the most complex roles that there is, we need a highly superior actor here. Also we need someone with a dark screen presence and coolness.
@M*A*S*H-Bettany is a well known actor. Now more so in Marvel projects but he has also worked with auteur directors in Co lead roles Dogville with Lars Von Trier and Here with Robert Zemeckis.
@Lionel- I’m sorry I’ve missed him I guess. What do you think about Bettany?
It’s also strange that I can think so many female actors suitable for a female version of this-Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Faye Dunaway, Rosamund Pike, Charlize Theron. But not male actors apart from Fassbender who can fit it absolutely.
@M*A*S*H and @Lionel- I’m probably missing a film or two but here’s the Bettany archiveable films- he really had some cache in the early 2000s with the two (2) Russell Crowe films
2001-A Beautiful Mind
2003- Master and Commander
2003- Dogville
2011- Margin Call
2016- Captain America: Civil War
A strong start for sure, then not much. Reminds me a bit of Michael Pitt. But I think Bettany has some cache now too with the success of the MCU. He has done Uncle Frank and Here with Zemeckis(this is a huge role here even if he is not in the poster) outside the MCU recently.
@M*A*S*H-I think the main attribute of Bettany is that soft soothing voice. I think he pretty much matches Fassbender in looks, can absolutely play detachment(Dogville), can play flawed characters and gain sympathy for them(Here) and also has played Villains(I think Solo: A Star Wars Story) and gentle calm characters that can be dangerous(MCU).
@Lionel- we are talking about one of the more complex roles for any male actor. It’s not just about looks and personality. There’s a lot of silent subtext required here. Do you think that Bettany can be capable of that?
@M*A*S*H-Bettany has the skill. And he’s been decently big in the film world ever since A Beautiful Mind in 2001. He can play detachment and lost in his own world well and also gain sympathy for the character even though what his character does is disturbing.
@M*A*S*H and @Lionel- Not to badmouth Bettany- but I don’t see it
@Lionel- it’s not just about the looks, being able to play detached etc. it’s much more. We may never know because looking at his archiveable films I don’t think Bettany has ever played something as complex and dynamic as this.
@Drake-Can you picture Tom Hardy playing the lead role here instead of Fassbender?
@Maltith- Hmmm, interesting. I’m going to say no ultimately- but I’d love to see him try something similar.
@Malith- unimaginable. But if you want an alternative then I’ll say Joaquin Phoenix. What do you think?