Have you seen "Shame"? Starring Michael Fassbender (who was the best part of "X-Men: First Class" as Magneto) and Carey Mulligan (who depressed the hell out of me in "Never Let Me Go"), it's another artsy film where the story is told by purposely leaving questions unanswered. As if driving the audience crazy is entertaining for anyone other than the director. Why do I see movies like this, over and over?
Question we must discuss: He is sexually compulsive; she is a cutter. What happened to make them this way? Were they sexually abused when they were kids? Did they have an incestuous relationship with each other? Obviously something happened...hence the title of the movie, "Shame." But what was it?
The initial scene of her naked in the bathtub is presumably there to shock the audience with the inappropriate nature of her standing there naked as he stared at her. And stared at her. And stared at her. It wasn't sexual; but it was not...appropriate.
But was there a moment when he said something about their father not being able to do "that" to her anymore? It was a fast line, and it was referenced only once.
WTF.
Self-mutilation is a typical sign of sexual abuse; so is angry sexual compulsion, and the fact that he can barely handle relating to women in any way other than viewing them as sex objects. So we, the poor audience, have to figure out what happened. Thoughts?
my thoughts on a movie that I have not seen but sure got alot of buzz: the rating is a killer, I bet it is not even playing in most places. And, BFD it showed some dick, the reason it got all the buzz. And, the mixed reviews all said it was a real downer. That being said I want to see it and will probably catch the DVD.
Posted by: Mike b. | December 21, 2011 at 11:12 AM
I think these movies are an opportunity for a director (or a writer) to live out his fantasies.
"Look, I can make real people stand naked and stare at them as long as I want.", etc.
I always think, "Who would enjoy watching something like this?" and the answer is, the one who is putting it on a plate and presenting it to me.
Posted by: Demeter | January 08, 2012 at 05:25 AM
A lot of those moments were created by the actors. When they stood staring at each other in the bathroom, with her naked, it was to show she wanted to aggravate him by not covering up. This is according to an interview she did. Okay great--so why did he stand there and watch her? It was a little indulgent, I agree.
Posted by: dan renzi | January 09, 2012 at 08:29 AM