Shame
Dir: Steve McQueen
2011
*****
There is no doubt in my mind that Shame is a future classic. At last we have a film that defines an era and probably the next big actor/director relationship. Fassbender doesn't know how to act anyway but perfectly and Steve McQueen (no not that one) is proving himself to be the director to watch out for. His visuals are captivating and beautiful, he could make a dog turd look good he's that talented and he's obviously not shy when choosing his subject matter. This is my favourite film about addiction along with The Man with the Golden Arm and probably the best since Requiem for a Dream, but obviously not about the same type of addiction. When Carey Mulligan's character declares that 'We're not bad people, we just come from a bad place' it kind of sums up the whole film without going into unnecessary details, it's all about the performances and the direction and this film has greatness in spades. Compelling and provocative and utterly sublime. Easily one of the best films of 2011.