Two Jews On Shame

'Shame' Film Review
By Joan Alperin-Schwartz

A goodlooking man in his thirties sits on a New York City subway starring intensely at a married woman seated across from him. It's obvious to the viewer that he's hitting on her and it's just as obvious, that's she's enjoying it.

The man is Brandon (Michael Fassbender) and he is a sex addict. Thanks to Steve McQueen's brilliant direction, we get to be a voyeur into Brandon's depraved but always fascinating world.




Brandon lives in a sterile New York City apartment...Everything is neat and orderly...which is a sharp contrast to his everyday life.

Brandon has a successful career, his co-workers like him, and he's very good friends with his boss, Dave (James Badge Dale)...There is one, slightly embarassing moment between the two guys...Dave chews out Brandon for having way too much porn on his hard drive...

Of course, Brandon doesn't only spend his time surfing the web for hot, naked girls. He's busy masturbating at least several times a day...at home and in the bathroom at work.

When he's not pleasuring himself, Brandon trolls the local bars, hooking up with random women. And if that doesn't do the trick to quench his sexual urges, he picks up the phone and orders up a prostitute.

Brandon doesn't enjoy sex. He needs sex...the way a person needs air and water. Brandon's terrified of intimacy.

He goes out on a date with a fellow co-worker, Marianne (Nicole Beharie). They get along great, but at the end of the night instead of making love to Marianne, Brandon hooks-up with a call girl.

All that said, Brandon seems to be managing just fine, until...

His suicidal sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan) comes to visit, sending him on a downward spiral.

Besides, making a film about an addict, McQueen, through these two psychically damaged characters, has made a movie about a very different New York. He shows us a city filled nameless, lonely people, riding the subways, going to bars, restaurants...trying to make a connection...

...A connection that Brandon and Sissy so desperately want...But when Sissy stands in front of a microphone at a downtown nightclub, singing a very slow rendition of 'New York, New York'and tears stream down Brandon's face, we realize, that a connection...is the one thing that these two people...may never have.

'Shame' is a must see for anyone that loves edgy, dark, and visually stunning filmmaking. It opens in theaters, Friday, December 2, 2011 and because of the subject matter has an NC 17 rating.

The 'Two Jews On Film' were fairly close with their bagel rating...Check out our video, to see what John thought about this film.

• Category

  Comedy

[moviefan978]

Great review I would see this but can't for a couple reasons.

[twojewsonfilm]

thanks so much. does age have anything to do with it? LOL.

[alan charlap]

So John is a Sex Addict....I could have told you that...all of those nights in school listening to the fluttering of sheet movement from his side of the room....and by the way he had no "SHAME"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

with love,

Lou the Lubricator

[twojewsonfilm]

that was suppose to be a secret. LOL.

[DHBarehand]

wow ! ... John actually liked a movie? wow...(blink, blink)...

[twojewsonfilm]

I know...Miracles do happen LOL.

[qqrk1372]

Just watched the DVD and thought the film was just ok. Fassbender's character was too remote and aloof to really care about. I much preferred Owning Mahowny with Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

p.s. I think I'm a Joan addict too! ;-P

[adrienneandsofi]

Ok guys....I've now seen "Shame", and while I did not love it like you two did, I did think the performances were raw and pretty much amazing!! The direction was great, however, I did not care about the characters as much as you guys did. And you say I'm "an easy audience.!!"

[moviefan978]

yeah plus it isnt anywhere near me.

[adrienneandsofi]

I'm pleased you both like it...seeing 'Shame" on Friday....