Shame

Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology, wrote that, “Cinema, like a good detective story, makes it possible to experience, without danger, all the excitement, passion and desire we must suppress in ordinary daily life.” For those so willing, Shame takes viewers on a graphic exploration (note the NC-17 rating) of the pathology of insatiable sex addiction. As it begins, Brandon Sullivan (Michael Fassbender) lies naked in bed in his Manhattan apartment, numbly recovering from one meaningless sexual encounter before launching into another. His solitary, obsessive life revolves around prostitutes and pornography. Commitment-phobic, compulsive masturbator Brandon has never maintained a relationship with a woman longer than four months. The unexpected arrival of his emotionally overwrought younger sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan), disturbs his private hedonistic rituals. Terrified of abandonment, Sissy clings—when she's not busy cutting herself, or warbling a terminally tedious rendition of “New York, New York.” Elliptically co-written and directed by British video artist-turned-filmmaker Steve McQueen (no relation to the late actor with the same name), Shame offers no backstory or insight to explain the Irish-born, New Jersey-raised siblings' self-destructive behavior, nor do either of the characters have an emotional arc, transformation, or resolution. More adventurous collections may want to consider, but this is optional elsewhere. [Note: Blu-ray extras include an “In Character with Michael Fassbender” behind-the-scenes featurette (5 min.), the production segments “A Shared Vision” with Fassbender and director Steve McQueen (3 min.) and “Focus on Michael Fassbender” (3 min.), an interview with McQueen (3 min.), “The Story of Shame” (3 min.), trailers, and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (S. Granger)