Col Needham's Best Movies of 20112 of 10
2. Shame (2011)
Director Steve McQueen takes us on a dark journey through sex addiction in New York thanks to a striking original screenplay which he co-wrote with Abi Morgan. Lead actor Michael Fassbender is receiving much-deserved rave reviews, as in supporting actress Carey Mulligan. The haunting score and McQueen's stylish long takes contribute to a memorable experience which is enhanced by Mulligan's singing performance of "New York, New York". I saw this first at The Toronto International Film Festival in September and then again at The Bath Film Festival in November; present at the latter for an interesting Q&A was producer Iain Canning who is the reigning Best Picture Oscar holder. Iain explained that owing to the controversial nature of the film and the filmmakers' decision not to compromise, they did not expect to secure US distribution, however, it sold and became the first movie in several years to be released with an NC-17 rating in the US.
Director Steve McQueen takes us on a dark journey through sex addiction in New York thanks to a striking original screenplay which he co-wrote with Abi Morgan. Lead actor Michael Fassbender is receiving much-deserved rave reviews, as in supporting actress Carey Mulligan. The haunting score and McQueen's stylish long takes contribute to a memorable experience which is enhanced by Mulligan's singing performance of "New York, New York". I saw this first at The Toronto International Film Festival in September and then again at The Bath Film Festival in November; present at the latter for an interesting Q&A was producer Iain Canning who is the reigning Best Picture Oscar holder. Iain explained that owing to the controversial nature of the film and the filmmakers' decision not to compromise, they did not expect to secure US distribution, however, it sold and became the first movie in several years to be released with an NC-17 rating in the US.