Shame [Region 2]

I saw a trailer for this film far before it's actual release and was immediately excited to see it. It seemed like a riveting story and the cinematography was superb. Luckily, the movie easily met my already high expectations.As a forewarning, if you are uncomfortable with sexually explicit scenes or content, you may want to stray from this film. The graphic content doesn't reach a point of x-rated pornography but it definitely doesn't shy away on the sexual content. Keep in mind that though that the sexual content heavily pertains to the character and narrative so it is very much so a warranted aspect to the film. This film focuses heavily on Fassbender's portrayal of his character struggling with sex addiction and how it affects his relationships, as well as, himselfI remark that solely due to a personal debate I had with another as to the necessity of the sexual content in the film. That being said, do not be deterred by the introductory emphasis on the graphic content in this film. It is, in my strongest opinion, a masterful work by both the director and the cast.Fassbender nailed his character to the teeth. From his body language, to his facial expressions, to his natural flow within his movements and his dialogue, he managed to highlight the strengths and traits of a sex addict perfectly. When his character shows weakness, it's evident how much it pains his character. Many of my friends often complain about how actors are horrible at crying but, in all honesty, I found Fassbender's portrayal of emotional turmoil to be spot on.As for Mulligan, she coincided with Fassbender so easily that I completely lost any disbelief in the film and legitimately believed in their characters. Her back-and-forth dialogue with Fassbender flowed so naturally that it's easy to lose yourself in their relationship. Although Fassbender is main protagonist, Mulligan definitely deserves some notoriety for her abilities as an actress in this film. Her performance is easily as impressive as Fassbender's.Regarding cinematography and aesthetic elements in the film, the film really creates a unique atmosphere with it's locations and environments surrounding the narrative. Characters decay into darker places but it's often the case that characters fall apart in the brightest environments. The correlations between atmosphere and plot development are both unique and intriguing. The shots themselves are artistic and well placed. They fit naturally alongside each scenario/plot point and never become a nuisance. As for the audio and music, the voices are clean and dialogue is clear; however, music is always entirely up to one's preference. There will be many moments of silence and they definitely play into the natural feel but I personally loved the ambience.Please note though, that this is a PAL, Reg. 2 disc as it is mentioned in the title. If you are an American customer, you will need to reformat your laptop or device to be able read PAL (unless you have some converter) so be prepared for that and look into ways you can get around it.In conclusion, I think this film is a masterful piece. Fassbender and Mulligan are certainly two actors the world should take note of as their performances in this film were absolutely marvelous. If you haven't had a chance to see this film, I highly suggest you get yourself a copy and check it out. Just be careful when viewing it around others due to the sexual content. In the end though, I loved this film and I hope you guys love it as well.

I liked this Film for its believable handling of the subject of corporate personal behavior, sex addiction and brother - sister relationships. I would re-title it "Guilt" versus "Shame" for emphasizing the darker side of New York City elite class culture, pre defund the Cops took over the City.

I purchased this movie, now I know what region I reside in, purchased DVD that wont play in my DVD player, it's not their fault it was mine, still searching for this movie in my region. Guest next time I will play closer attention to non-usa format, it has nothing to do with the ratings. lol

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING MOVIES I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. BOTH CHARACTERS ARE PLAYED OUT RELIGIOUSLY TRUE TO LIFE.THIS IS A VERY SAD MOVIE, BECAUSE SEXUAL ADDICTION IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION TO DEAL WITH.THIS COPY WAS VERY INTACT, DELIVERED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND IN GOOD CONDITION.KUDOS TO THE SELLER

I did not realize when I purchased this, I could only watch the movie on my laptop as it came from Europe and is in PAL format. It's my mistake for purchasing on my iPhone and not paying attention. The DVD however came quickly and was not damaged.

This movie is so good. It shows almost everything in the sex scenes. Very powerful movie over all. Also if you get region2 dvd if you don't have a blue ray dvd player it might not play.

Took several weeks to get the movie. That was fine. My issue was it would not play in my DVD or Blu day player. Only on my laptopI assume they are knock off copiesWouldn't purchase another from the same vendor

good film, michael's performance is excellent....

The first film I saw directed b Steve McQueen was 12 Years a Slave. i saw it in the cinema. It is a big film. Big budget, big production. very big story. I found it totally outstanding, bought the dvd and decided to explore previous films directed by this exceptionally talented director. I decided I could not cope with Hunger as I remembered this desperately sad story when it happened and knew I would not be able to cope with a dramatisation of it. But I bought Shame. Amazon tell me I bought it in 2014. I watched it soon after buying it but could not bring myself to write about it. So I watched it again this afternoon and still find it difficult to write about it. It is about obsession. One man s obsession with sex. There is very little dialogue. We see this rather unbalanced character put himself through a few different experiences and a ghastly relationship with his sister. I have found it draining - yes it is a valid use of film but I did not find it entertaining. Sorry.

For a film that portrays the existential life of a 30-something sexually-primed yet emotionally repressed man, Steve McQueen manages to extrapolate and convey even the most rawest of feelings to exact degree. Motion pictures have seldom managed to keep me truly engrossed right to the very end and leave me lost for words in the process. A progressive and bleak drama of this kind is a rarity for me to watch, but as soon as the end credits rolled I found myself in stark awe at the gravitas of McQueen's filmmaking while soulless and exhausted at the sheer hopelessness and disparity of Fassbender's performance of Brandon, in which the culmination of it all hit me like a tonne of bricks.All the elements of a solid drama are well-grounded: the cinematography captures plush, elegant interiors of jazzy evening lounges right to the monochromatic, empty vessel of Brandon's apartment which houses only his apathetic skin. Gritty New York back streets and grey skyline views over parkways don't just lie in the backdrop and support environmental context; they bolster character troubles and lifestyles. It prevents the film from being a caricature in itself and plunges us right into the everyday solidarity of Brandon's life.The script is polished and matured, never wasting a single line and providing enough depth for each character; Brandon's employment occupation is irrelevant here to an extent, and McQueen is skilful enough to only deliver snippets of his workplace integrity whilst avoiding complete deviation from the premise at hand. Sissy (Carey Mulligan) is also given plenty of realistic background for us. It structures the choreography to a brilliant, clinical exaction; each dramatic moment embedded in real life troubles precedes and succeeds each other with extremely efficient scene cohesion. Though there are two main characters for this film, all however are merely conduits through which the volatile and unstable foundation of Brandon's life is rocked to a tumultuous climax.The sexuality portrayed aims not to arouse, far from it. The scenes of masturbation are done to discomfort. Orgasm sounds that emanate from Brandon's laptop are haunting. Aggressiveness plagues his face when he climaxes; he seeks only that momentary carnal satisfaction which fills what abyss there is inside him, everything else is null and void. There is nothing to be impressed about in his lifestyle; his skilled ability to naturally pick up women at bars and gain flirtatious looks on subways are merely a facade, for behind those eyes lies coldness, evident from the way he says very little in conversations, gazes without smiling and has sex with very little passion conveyed.The acting is stellar and consistent; Mulligan's performance of Sissy as the wayward, dependant sister who possesses an ability to channel her desolate soul into her incredibly yet poignant version of a New York jazz classic is believable and striking. But the real crown jewel of this motion picture is Fassbender's extremely impressive portrayal of Brandon; from the outset a man verging on the brink of inner self destruction, who wakes up every morning with pensiveness descending his face. Holding it all together, pleasing his sexual desires by indulging in Internet pornography, masturbation and liaisons with multiple paper-thin hearted women, he does not know how to love. Sympathy and affection are alien to him. He questions and scrutinises the ideas of monogamy and shys away from any possible indication of such being presented before retorting back into his shell; his safe haven. This is his life. When his sister arrives it rocks the boat further enough to capsize him into a maelstrom of pessimistic thoughts and emotions of vulnerability and weakness. The bubble he has encased himself in, he cannot escape due to his own thoughts; he has developed a mental stigma only he seems to comprehend while in the process reaffirming in through his repetitive actions. The grey filters which subtly blend in with his similarly-hued scarf seem to provide a comfort, sadly. As if this complex problem is a burden he carries everywhere; it reassures his mental thought processes and shields his heart symbiotically. And it's always there. All of this is made ever more hard hitting and soul-enduring by the film's soundtrack, particularly Harry Escott's piece called Unravelling; a 9-minute long rendition of mundane, modern life regularity of clock-ticking which evolves into a draining and heartbreaking symphony of cello and deep bass that post-crescendo of a sharply piercing melody (akin to that of an obituary to grievance,) returns back to its beginning clockwork rhythm, signifying a cyclical pattern Brandon is caught in, bolstered further by its playback in full at the beginning and at the end of the movie.From melancholic stares at the ceiling in cold winter mornings to cries of desperation on the abandoned, dump-strewn walkways, it didn't just hit my heart and soul, it tore them both out and left them there dying on the floor. And it did it incredibly well. When a movie manages to do just that as intended, it's already there to gaining high-ranking status. Perhaps this is a sombre homage to many other men out there enduring the same experiences.Steve McQueen is deserving of a standing ovation for this incredibly moving masterpiece. This is unquestionably one of the best films I have ever seen, coming from a man who has watched many staple motion pictures spanning genres and cultural statuses far and wide. It's a film I will not forget, nor that I will want to. Every time I watch it now, it will strike a chord as harsh, possibly harsher, than the last one. It's poetically poignant while being graphically harsh. It delivers a message home with sensitivity but with punchiness simultaneously. It's an over-shadowed gem which over time will mature to be an ever-more relevant showcasing of an outward, financial successful man with an inner mentality which is greatly fractured.

Luckily for me i'm too old for sexual addiction, but some suffer this and not just celebrities. Fassbinder plays a successful man about town in New York who in a sense has it all. but immerses himself in porn and instant gratification in any form becoming lost in a cycle of never ending dissatisfaction and frustration and agony, the effects on his personality are catastrophic and exacerbate his inability to deal with his damaged sibling , played by the excellent Cary Mulligan, who is equally effected to the point of self harm. Clearly there are underlying childhood causes for these conditions which are only hinted at in this film, but you can speculate i think.

I didn't enjoy this movie. But not for the reasons you might think.It is beautifully shot and the actors are excellent. However I found the writing, and in particular the conclusion unconvincing and to be honest - preachy about how we should and shouldn't live our lives.Those who are puritanical will love the movie's message - but it's moralist tone is too obvious.

Brilliant film.Gave me the willies at first! 🤪