MovieChat Forums > Shame (2012) Discussion > Best scene

Best scene

posted 12 years ago by carlvdl
63 replies | jump to latest

The best scene for me by far was the dinner date between Brandon and Marianne.

It showed just the awkwardness of dating, first dates in particular, quite rare in film & television to be shown so frankly. The brief moments of silence between finding things to say, bemused expressions, nervous laughter, walking the streets afterwards, talking about absolutely nothing merely to have something to say, the awkward goodbye on the steps of the subway station.

The numerous interruptions of the third party, a waiter, played into the scene fantastically, I felt as a viewer to be not watching a film at all, but sitting in a restaurant, invisible, privy to a brief moment in the lives of these two people at their most vulnerable amidst the minutiae of everyday life.

When the waiter comes to pour the wine, Marianne is asking Brandon what his longest relationship has been. Brandon hesitates, the waiter begins to pour, stops, Brandon notices and motions him to continue. Almost as though the waiter, having detected the personal nature of the question, finds himself intruding and begins to withdraw his presence. Was such a thing planned, one wonders...

Pitch perfect.

[–] deanlamb 12 years ago

The waiter only poured a small amount for Brandon to taste before pouring this is common practice in most restaurants to see if you like the wine before you decide to have it. As Brandon pretty much let his date choose the meal and the waiter choose the Pinot Noir he was not really interested in trying which is why he instructed the waiter to continue pouring.

[–] littlesue-567-593153 12 years ago

It was OK but it dragged on a bit for me, McQueen likes to make his set piece's long and drawn out.

[–] carlvdl 12 years ago

Ohh I see. Just goes to show, since I never go to restaurants!! Read into it way too much. Well, it was an interesting little idea while it lasted, if a bit frivolous.

[–] deanlamb 11 years ago

Still I found your interpretation very interesting;)

[–] lava20 11 years ago

The best scene was the one where he was having sex.

[–] Neelis 11 years ago

Glad to find this post here! In my opinion, the entire film was about this moment; Brandon, who we do not get to know very well (if at all) throughout the course of the film, opens up a little during these scenes, telling Marianne a bit more about his personal life. He seems, after a while, to be comfortable around her. Then there's the scene on the street in which they have small talk. I loved that (both scenes), very realistic and intimate. They like each other, that much is clear.

Before and after these scenes he's distant and provocative; to his employer, the women he meets/ pays to have sex with, the girl in the bar and her boyfriend coming over to see what's going on (and beating up Brandon), even his own sister. The only other scene in which he's letting go of his image is the one on the dock during which he cries (after Sissy's suicide attempt.)

I'm tired now, the idea is in my head but I can't write it down properly. I might get back at you with a more in-depth analysis on these scenes.

A flood's not the answer, people just float.

[–] coolbrett 11 years ago

This movie is full of great scenes. That scene you mentioned was great. I love how it was one long take from one spot. It made you feel like a fly on the wall observing their date.

I think the best scene was near the start when Brandon was trying to pick up the girl on the train without saying a word. Loved everything about that scene. And when he got off the train and chased her, the camera did this cool thing where it glided over the railing as it followed them. Must have been pretty tricky to pull that off. All in all I just loved everything about that scene, particularly the acting AND the music.

[–] luciole2 11 years ago

I think the best scene was near the start when Brandon was trying to pick up the girl on the train without saying a word. Loved everything about that scene. And when he got off the train and chased her, the camera did this cool thing where it glided over the railing as it followed them. Must have been pretty tricky to pull that off. All in all I just loved everything about that scene, particularly the acting AND the music.

I absolutely loved that scene. I even purchased the score off of itunes --the music reflected their emotions so perfectly.

[–] gmansi 10 years ago

The music on this scene was...?? I cant remember

[–] inasafeplace 10 years ago

I found that scene interesting. However, I doubt of its realism. Can a woman really wet herself just by a man looking at her? I'm a man but I find this surreal.

[–] beja-4 10 years ago

If you check Youtube, the subway scene, you can clearly see how the woman at first is looking just flattered, but how her body language gradually changes. So does the way she looks at Brandon. There's even a subtle change in the way she's breathing.

I'm female, so the answer to your question is; yes. Absolutely.

[–] inasafeplace 10 years ago

That is insane. I never knew a man could have such power on a woman. You've got to be a woman to be knowledgeable of these kind of things. I don't believe it could work the other way around.

[–] beja-4 10 years ago

That is insane? Well, it's not like it's The Nile, haha. I believe both males and females, have such a power on each other.

I'm not sure why the sexuality of a woman, still in 2015, is some kind of a mystery. I don't think it's so much different from men. But then I've never believed in the "men have more of an animal instinct" thing. At least not in today's society.

A US study from 2010 says that even if men look significantly more at porn, masturbating more than women, and to some extent have more partners, more "one night stands", in the end they only get slightly more intercourses by this than women.

When the results are compared with a similar survey in 1993, it turns out that the difference between men's and women's sex drive has become lesser over the past 20 years.

- Cultural differences are much, much bigger than differences between the sexes, says Janet Shibley Hyde.

You don't believe a man would be aroused in the same situation?

[–] inasafeplace 10 years ago

I am a man and have a strong libido, but I can't imagine such situation could be enough to be aroused as much as what was on display in this scene. Of course there might be men out there who could see things differently but watching this scene I couldn't relate and felt it was over the top, so that is why I asked for a female point of view.

[–] beja-4 10 years ago

Your initial question was if women could be so aroused just by a man looking at her. And as I understood it, not necessarily on a subway train. And to that I replied that it's possible. Although, it may not be applicable to all women, still possible.

Can't say I agree with you, because I don't think it's over the top, I think it's a subtle scene. After all, we don't know how much affected the woman was physically, or Brandon for that matter. But that she was under the influence is quite obvious.

[–] inasafeplace 10 years ago

I felt it was over the top and knew I could be wrong so that is why I wanted to have some feedback about it. Now you are confirming me that it is possible :)

[–] HalBanksy 9 years ago

Agree - it was a great scene.
The train scenes later in the film were also brilliant.

[–] josedeleon3000 11 years ago

Almost everything about that movie was great. I can sit and watch the film over and over. My favorite standout scenes are when he is with Carey Mulligan and the scene where he goes out for a night of debauchery only to have a wakeup call in the end. And that final mesmerizing scene when he meets the girl from the beginning. Probably the best film of 2011.

[–] doodyhead2 11 years ago

I just saw the movie and was going to post about this scene with the waiter. what I found weird about it was the amount of dialogue the waiter had. almost as if it was in real time. a few questions entered my mind concerning the waiter.
1. He seemed to be focused on Michael fassbenders character throughout the conversation while barely recognizing Marianne. could it have been that he was gay and was interested in Michael . or perhaps he just could have been one of those guys who cause the man was paying only focused his attention on the man.
don't mean to throw the racecard in and I doubt it but the thought enteresd my mind cause she is a black woman . it wouldn't have been consistant with the movie cause colour is barely mentioned if even at all.
THE whole interacton by the waiter was ackward n weird and I don't mean that in a negative way. it really reminded me of my dates

[–] littlesue-567-593153 11 years ago

I've worked as a Waitress and some places make you push certain products, drinks etc. I once had a warning because I offered the Mystery Shopper a desert but did'nt recomend which one she should have!

[–] aimeemacdn 11 years ago

It's etiquette. The waiter would assume that the man was paying so would direct his attention to him, being overtly polite to his female partner at the same time. Sounds sexist, I know, but it's usual for the staff in high class restaurant. Maybe I'm old fashioned but that is what I've known.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] katspajamas22 11 years ago

I got the impression from some of his comments that he was racist and disapproved of them two together.

One flew east, one flew west. One flew over the cuckoo's nest.

[–] kennellygerard 11 years ago

if you like haunting films like 'shame'

you will love AT ANY PRICE (my favourite film of 2013)

MARGIN CALL was my favourite film of 2012

ANIMAL KINGDOM was my favourite film of 2011

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] CasseroleWorshipper 11 years ago

I rewatched the film a few days ago and one minor scene that really struck out for me was when Brandon came home and heard his boss trying to get it on with his sister, and he kinda just sat down by the window, looked really confused and helpless, and then just went jogging. IDK but Fassbender was exceptional in that scene, said so much without really saying anything.
I don't mean to impose, but I am the Ocean.

[–] gmansi 10 years ago

The jogging scene, the long shoot scene was great

[–] maenad-3 11 years ago

carlvdl: Yes, the dating sequence was the best as it showed Brandon as human and actually had me believing that he would commence a normal relationship with that lovely lady. I remarked to my husband that I felt as if I were actually sitting in that restaurant. No doubt the way that it was filmed with the glass and the angle of the table generated that effect. I was totally drawn in. This was the "eye of the hurricane" for me.

[–] Lootrock 11 years ago

I really enjoyed that scene as well. This film had so many subtle genius details. They never really tried to beat you over the head with the fact that Brandon knows how to work people, they simply just showed him in action. For example, he shows up late on purpose and also doesn't kiss her at the end on purpose. I don't think either of those things were an accident. What I find to be confusing however is the scene where they are at the hotel and he does blow right before they try to have sex. Cocaine is known to cause some men to not be able to get it up. Afterwards he calls the blonde up to finish the job. So in short, did he do that just for foreplay? I thought maybe he did that because he was starting to like her maybe but then we don't see her again.

Aside from all that, my favorite scene is when he picks up the guy's girlfriend. That scene was absolutely hot and ended hilariously.

[–] Chocolegz 11 years ago

What I find to be confusing however is the scene where they are at the hotel and he does blow right before they try to have sex. Cocaine is known to cause some men to not be able to get it up. Afterwards he calls the blonde up to finish the job. So in short, did he do that just for foreplay? I thought maybe he did that because he was starting to like her maybe but then we don't see her again.

Yeah, It was like he sabotaged himself with the cocaine. It was also good trick on the audience. Was it cocaine or the fear of attachment/commitment?

Aside from all that, my favorite scene is when he picks up the guy's girlfriend. That scene was absolutely hot and ended hilariously.

Yes! I cm to that scene. SERIOUSLY! It was super hot, hilarious and sad. My emotions were all over the place. He's so amazing.

My favorite scene is the whole damn movie.

"I do what I got to do with what I got." Utah in One Night at McCool's

[–] cymcinto 11 years ago

I thought he did the cocaine to psychologically help himself through the experience with Marianne ... because he had genuine feelings for her, beyond wanting to just sex her.

[–] stationtosche 11 years ago

I actually first thought he couldn't get it up because he had an emotional connection with this woman before anything physical. It was the first time in the movie that he showed any kind of emotional interest in a woman which would also explain why he was so embarrassed about it and couldn't look her in the eye afterward. With how he had spoken to women up to that point and how he spoke to the chick in the bar later, one would think he would never have felt 'shame' before. Pretty sure he knew what he was doing when he did the line of cocaine, he didn't come across as someone who would self sabotage sex or someone that had never done a hit of coke before...unless of course he was nervous which is a possibility.

The whole film is brilliant and I can't pick out a scene that I would say is the best, but a stand out is where he shows real emotion for the first time and lets himself go after he's with Sissy in the hospital. Fassbender really showed off his talent in this film, he's right when he says McQueen brings out the best in him.

[–] theevilgumby 11 years ago

I actually didnt really like the film.

But I thought the best scene was him and the girl on the train. it was pitch perfect. That eye fawking stare down/ both holding onto the pole/he followed her out. The way she was getting turned on/he acted like a predatory animal was a frigging great way to show his sex addiction and how he could manipulate to get what he wanted ie sex. it was like something so intuned he could get her just by staring. Addicts use different ways to get what he wanted and he seduced some married broad by that little eye fawking session.

Aside from that I found the movie a huge mess though fassbender and mulligans acting was good.

[–] dark_frances 11 years ago

This was the "eye of the hurricane"

That's both very nicely put and it seems very accurate. It was the center of the storm - of his odd personality, his inability to connect, mistrust in people, perceiving himself as another, defunct species - yet strangely a quiet place, free from the anger, numbness, self-hatred and self-abuse of the rest.

there's a highway that is curling up like smoke above her shoulder

[–] vjbas89-276-707495 11 years ago

The scene where his boss talks about all the porn in his hard drive.....his standing posture and his facial expression...SHAME indeed.

[–] Chocolegz 11 years ago

The posture got me immediately. He was melting.

"I do what I got to do with what I got." Utah in One Night at McCool's

[–] ioannis-perivolaris 11 years ago

For me the best scene is when he is having sex with the two prostitutes.

The lighting and atmosphere, almost heaven-like, contradicting with what we are watching. The pain in his eyes as he is having pleasure and is about to cum, with an expression of true shame on. And of course, the voice over of his sister while all this is going on "We are not bad people, we just come from a very bad place".

I was watching the film with my girlfriend and a friend(he was the one who recommended it) and we ended up replaying that part thrice because of how EPIC it was. No, not the nudity or the sex, but the sequence and the feelings and emotions it evoked, as well as the cinematography.

What this scene proves is that you can make a truly "epic" set piece without the need of huge spectacles, big budgets and a lot of extras killing each other in the name of a long lost King or a Deity that has abandoned them, but just a sex addict failing to battle his addiction while on the bed with two prostitutes.

I salute the filmmakers of this film, and the film itself!

[–] Chocolegz 11 years ago

Yeah...I got a strong jolt from that scene. The pain in his eyes as he cums brought me to tears. What a special actor. He's so great at facilitating McQueen's vision. Love the whole team.

"I do what I got to do with what I got." Utah in One Night at McCool's

[–] genusssucht 11 years ago

The pain in his eyes

Definitely my favourite scene, too. Suddenly he looked at least 20 years older, just like that. Before that point, I considered the movie to be somehow dull, but that was the turning point for me.

[–] luvie2003 10 years ago

Well said. I thought that was the best scene in the film too. The entire film is great. But that particular scene alone pretty much summed up his addiction.

Always look for the positive in every situation.