Raunchy Review

– Summary – Director :  Paul Verhoeven Year Of Release :   1995 Principal Cast :  Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi, […]

Michael Fassbender’s searing performance in Shame is career-defining. The film’s plot is handled with a rawness and pin-point focus by director McQueen, and the movie does make for largely uncomfortable viewing, but folks looking for something more intellectually stimulating than a cookie-cutter actioner would be well served with this one.

I kinda see what John Mitchell was trying to do, but the amateurish performances and somewhat lack of polish on the entire production – regardless of the explicit sexual footage – give this verite film a raw, unfiltered glaze that doesn’t quite work like it should. It’s almost documentary style at times, in a way a little voyeuristic, which might make some viewers uncomfortable. Did I like Shortbus? Not really, but then, I’m sure there’s people out there who can appreciate the problems and feelings the people involved are going through.

Gorgeously shot, Room In Rome is driven by character while maintaining the allure of an “arthouse” film by including plenty of nudity. The two actresses do a good job of bringing more depth to their characters than the overt nudity might otherwise allow – this is about two people finding each other for the briefest of moments. In this regard, Room In Rome is an at-times moving, often beautiful film.