Nothing to be ashamed of

The theatre was full yesterday evening when M. and  I saw Steve McQueen's second film, Shame. The film is doing well over here (only -12 rated unlike the American NC-17) and has received good reviews from the critics, like this one from Le Monde. Of course, everybody praises Michael Fassenber who plays Brandon, the sex addict. And he truly deserves all the praises he's gotten. He does carry the film.

I was looking forward to seeing Shame because I was very impressed by McQueen's debut, three years ago, and I knew this was a filmaker to follow.

And indeed he's still very much the super talented cinematographer we had discovered with Hunger. That said, I have to confess that I prefer Hunger.

Shame is not a bad movie, far from it. It is actually a good movie starring and incredible actor. It is elegant and stylish, which was a given for anyone who knows McQueen's work and background. As I said before, when I reviewed Hunger, the guy is an alchemist. He turns mundane stuff or even garbage and shit into gold. This is a filmaker who always finds grace and beauty in ugliness, who transcends base acts with his art.

And here again the magic works.

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