OK, this film is difficult to watch. In a time where the grossest and most disturbing behaviors are celebrated, even worshiped by an audience addicted to voyeurism, it might be hard to believe that there is still the possibly of truly shocking an audience. The problem with sex in films, is, it just is not fun to watch, and, it isn't even erotic. To me, what is truly erotic in movies is the idea of sex, or more accurately love, that is so much a matter of luck, timing and other factors, we won't go into. For example, I will always remember the love scene in "Woman in the Dunes". Now in this case, there is a rather horrible man who has lots of sex and no love, warmth or friendship. And he is so self destructive and one dimensional, that you kind of wonder why he hasn't figured out that it would be best to change his "hobby". Well I won't reveal the truth of this, but suffice it to say, you won't find this very real and disturbing tale uplifting or even that interesting. But, when it gives Michael Fassbender the platform to deliver the acting performance of the year, it is all worth it. There just has not been anything like this powerful a performance in a very very long time. And it is tragic that so few people will see this, and feel such a break through moment, both for the man, and for an art form that is often just fearful of this kind of naked truth (no pun intended!). If you are really a film person, you live for this. Not since Taxi Driver has there been this kind of moment. I just hope Michael can keep it up and find the vehicles for this kind of incredible, intense, and completely satisfying work out. I am in awe. And you should be to.
Shame
(2011)
See this film now-if you want to support great cinema and the best performance of 2011,
28 January 2012