Why ‘Shame’ blew my mind

February 6, 2012

So. Last week I blogged about a wind turbine appeal (no outcome on that yet, so its gigantic shadow still hangs over our little village…) and now I’m blogging about Shame, the controversial movie about Brandon, a sex addict, played by Michael Fassbender.

I love a contrast. 🙂

Now, I’ll admit that over the last few months, I’ve slowly developed a thing for Mr Fassbender. He has slipped insidiously into my consciousness, shall we say.

My thing started quietly enough last September after seeing his edgy, dangerous, portrayal of Mr Rochester in the new Jane Eyre movie.

Then my interest rose to a new level after I came across a photo of him as Azazeal in an old Sky series called Hex. OMG, be still my beating heart, but he IS the hero of my recently completed sexy rom com. He is Jago…edgy, tormented, jaded and arrogant. You’ll love him if/when you ever get to read about him. 😉

Last week, Maria Grazia at the culture blog, Fly High, heard about my current obsession with Mr Fassbender and has asked me to blog about what it is about the actor and his roles, that inspires me.

So in the interests of research, I ordered Hex on DVD and booked tickets to see Shame. Mr Bennet needed very little persuasion to head off to the Electric Cinema in Birmingham to watch the film. Carey Mulligan, who plays Brandon’s sister, was part of the attraction and luckily, Mr B has an eclectic taste in movies just like me. So we booked a double sofa, texted our drinks order to the bar and settled down to watch the film.

Settled is the wrong word; for this film is anything but settling. It’s explicit, and maybe a little shocking but it’s also serious, bleakly beautiful, uncomfortable, thought-provoking and most unexpectedly moving.

I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day. Do go and catch it if you can, though it’s coming to the end of its run. Michael Fassbender is astonishing in it.

And watch out for my post on Fly High.

Later this week, I’m running a Valentine’s Special on this blog. You can enter to win any of my books, e book or print, UK or US, as long as I have a copy in stock. Some even have hearts on the cover!

Watch this space. 🙂

Comments

1. On February 6th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
   Laura E. James Says:
   

   Hi Phillipa.
   I love films that leave such a deep impression. One that springs to mind for me is Summer of 42. I saw this in my youth, many, many years ago and have not since it since, but it left me with what I can only describe as a weird feeling. I have never been able to put my finger on it. I know the music was emotive, but it was more than that. Maybe it was something to do with the teacher/schoolboy relationship – I was probably at an impressionable age.
   Based on your recommendation, Shame will be one to watch on DVD.
   Thanks, Phillipa. x

2. On February 7th, 2012 at 7:11 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Laura – I haven’t seen Summer of 42, must look out for it on TV. Mr Fassbender won the Evening Standards award last night for best actor, in Shame and Jane Eyre. He’s on a roll. 🙂

   When I posted about the film on facebook, some people started chatting about ‘worst’ date movies so that’s going to be the theme of my Valentine’s contest. 🙂