Shame is one of those films that you don't really want to watch with other people. Mainly because of the subject matter, which in this case is sex addiction. And just for a warning for those who get easily offended by sexual acts, this film does contain ass-licking, Yes, you read that right: ass-licking.

Now that we have that out of the way, Shame follows Brandon, a polished good-looking young man living New York. He has a great job and…

Shame, Shame, what to say about Shame?

Control.

The almost extreme extent to which Steve McQueen has really bent the filmic medium to his will, creating a pretty well-defined style in only two films. Although still not a traditional narrative, and maybe not even a full character portrait (or is that the point?), Shame is still something slightly more than an experimental art piece, it is definitely cinematic. McQueen's filmmaking is more of the same as we saw from Hunger,…

Sex addiction is often seen as a rather silly and trivial addiction, one that celebrities wheel out when their infidelities become public knowledge. Yet in Steve McQueen's second feature it is portrayed as potentially serious, debilitating and life destroying as drug or alcohol addiction. The film is as utterly empty as Brandon's own existence and whilst that may sound like a flaw it really isn't. McQueen puts you in his world and gets under the skin of Brandon's hollow life…

We're not bad people.
We just come from a bad place.

A very slow and subtle film but still mesmerizing. I would not have thought a film about a sex addict would be so elegant. This film leaves a lot to think about after viewing and can be interpreted in so many different ways, is Brandon's shame about his dependency on sex? His inability to have a normal healthy relationship (passing 4 months) -- or is it to do with…

When approaching a subject like sex addiction it is very easy to descend into superficiality and a too gratuitous display of what is a serious disorder. Luckily this is not the case in Steve McQueen's impressive film, Shame. Brandon is handsome, seemingly successful and undeniably charming, at first glance he appears almost flawless. However, if anyone knew him intimately they'd know he only functions outwardly. Scarred by his past he is an emotional trainwreck inept at forming any sort of…

"How are you helping me, huh? How are you helping me? How are you helping me? Huh? Look at me. You come in here and you're a weight on me. Do you understand me? You're a burden. You're just dragging me down. How are you helping me? You can't even clean up after yourself. Stop playing the victim." - Brandon Sullivan

LET'S PLAY A GAME: I'm only going to make one pretty tacky sex joke in this review. It's your…

Shame is a cold look at the impact of addiction on a person's life. The film is beautifully shot and masterfully edited. The colour palate of winter New York really adds to the cool feeling.

While some may find this film to be shallow and unfeeling, I believe that is how you are supposed to feel. Addiction takes over peoples lives and leaves them hollow, without any purpose except getting the next fix and easing the pain.

Absolutely astounding acting…

Fassbender is absolutely brilliant in the role of Brandon, a miserable sex addict. It may be one of the best roles I've ever seen... from any actor! Also, Carey Mulligan shines in the role of the shaky sister Sissy, and with leading roles in both Drive and Shame in the past year. she's undoubtedly an upcoming movie star. Well, she's one already!

Let's be honest. Those of us who have seen Shame know that this is not a film that…