Shame a tough but tasteful portrayal of sex addiction

While the majority of its scenes are filled with nudity, Shame prevails as one of the most tasteful and sophisticated movies of the year. This racy feature holds nothing back, portraying the controversial subject of sex addiction with an honesty rarely seen in cinema.

Set in present-day New York, the film tells the story of Brandon (Michael Fassbender), a man who appears to have everything: a successful career, a swanky apartment and at least one date just about every night. But the hollow life his sexual addiction creates comes to light when his troubled musician sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) shows up on his doorstep after a break-up of her own. With the siblings reunited, both their flaws are exposed as they attempt to find their place in “the city that never sleeps.”

A film that revolves around sex addiction would be shocking no matter how it was presented, director Steve McQueen takes a highly realistic, unedited approach that amplifies the effect of the entire film. Through the gritty cinematography and scenes that appear super realistic, it’s entirely too easy to forget that this is, in fact, a film and not a documentary.

This intimacy and realism can also be attributed to the sublime performances of its stars. Fassbender creates a compelling character. His actions, body language and expressions say more than the script alone can convey. Mulligan also gives an illuminating, enigmatic performance, drawing out deep emotion with ease. The fluid communication between the two onscreen — verbally and emotionally — is just as courageous as the subject matter it examines. 

While addiction is a difficult subject to approach and capture, Shame tells a seamless, impactful story. With the uncut nature of the production and the inspiring efforts of the cast, an uneasy film becomes something both honest and utterly heartbreaking, even with the vast amounts of potentially distracting nudity.

It’s easy to speculate that a film is nothing but a glorified porno when it’s slapped with an NC-17 rating, but Shame comes through as classic and touching. Although sex and nudity appear frequently, the scenes fit with the down-to-earth nature of the movie, and are included with the utmost care. Many films feature sexual content as a symbol of pleasure and love, but the sex scenes in Shame are instead a depressant, and effectively highlight the pain involved in serious sexual addiction.

Shame is a film with a clear, underlying purpose: it provides an analysis of sex addicts and the way they function in society. Although the subject matter is sensitive and often shocking, the movie is both respectful and courageous, creating a work of art that succeeds at provoking emotion and deep thought.

Movies are often meant to act as uplifting escapism, but Shame does the exact opposite. The film leaves a bitter and disturbing aftertaste, but it’s worthy of all the appreciation and accolades it’s sure to receive.

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