New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

Viggo Mortenson is always at his best when working with Cronenberg, and gives a remarkably understated but powerful performance. He is so co calm and collected that when his temper does get the best of him it is a sight to behold. Vincent Cassel is a scene-stealer despite his little screen time. As hedonist Otto Gross he is allowed to be wild and have fun, and Cassel is always at his best when playing that kind of character.

The Direction

David Cronenberg and Steve McQueen are two masters at their craft, and what is remarkable about both of these films is how much control the two directors have over every image. But they use that control for entirely different purposes, which is part of what makes these films feel so distinct from each other. For Cronenberg, every scene is defined by the character. He allows the actors a certain freedom, with the camera following them as they move throughout their setting. But the tone and the intensity of the scene are heightened and magnified by the camera work, which sometimes makes conversations seem suffocatingly claustrophobic. The cinematography and editing never distract from the emotional journey of the characters, and the film moves at a quick enough pace that the long conversations never get dull.

McQueen, by contrast, is far more focused on the ambiance of the setting than Cronenberg. The establishment and movement of the camera is not defined by the actors, but rather in using the atmosphere to define the tone and letting the actors work within that set atmosphere. McQueen makes New York City a character itself; Brandon feels trapped and alone, and the milieu of the city is used to heighten that effect. The darkness and loneliness of Manhattan infuses every scene, making Brandon's guilt and self-hatred even more extreme and painful.

So Which is Better?

I honestly couldn't tell you. If you like conversations about sexuality, A Dangerous Method will certainly appeal to you. If you've ever lived in New York City, the way the city is shown will resonate with you. If you want to see Keira Knightley's breasts, see A Dangerous Method. If your tastes run more towards Michael Fassbender's penis, Shame will be right up your alley. But really, you should see both. They are both extraordinary films, examples of great directors at the top of their game and veteran actors giving some of the best performances of their careers. Considering Hollywood's idea of romance is New Year's Eve, it's good to remember that some people know how to make movies about some good old-fashioned fucking.

Continued:       1       2       3       4