PipsHeritage

Just saw this movie the other day and it was even better than I expected. The acting is fabulous! A lot of improvisation, which works great. The timing of the actors is right on the spot and makes certain scenes hilarious to watch. Others awkwardly embarrassing. But all heartfelt warm and fuzzy. And if the Pacific Northwest is your favorite place in the world, like mine, you'll have a treat with the breathtaking views of Orcas Island and around. Even the shots of the ferry and the coastline with the rocks and cedars made me tear up. (I miss it.) Woody cabins, fleece-and-flannel, knitted hats and slouchy socks. Genuine people. Complicated at times, but always good at heart. In real situations. All my kind of thing. And if you love and appreciate great acting, this is the film for you too. It will make you laugh, make you cry and make you all warm and fuzzy inside.

If you are interested in the mysterious ways of the human mind, and like to look beyond of what the average person takes for "right", "wrong" and/or "true", then you don't want to miss this film. Next to the beautiful, crisp, period costumes and sets, the dialog between Freud and Jung, and Jung and Spielrein make you rethink and -consider general accepted "truths". How easy are we made to think a certain way, just because it is generally the most accepted point of view. How many of us dare to take the trouble, the effort to think things over a bit deeper?… For instance: What does that certain restlessness in the corner of your mind tell you? Should you ignore it? Or should you have the courage to explore and evolve that neglected part of yourself that you decided to tuck away? Some of us choose to take the easy route; nice and smooth, comfortable, but in the end get stuck in a certain shallowness. Shallow is safe, shallow is uncomplicated. But then there it comes again, that little voice, that inner turmoil. If you decide not to listen to it, the price you pay is that you get stuck in a state of averageness, parts of your personality being left undeveloped, unexplored. And you might sail through life smoothly, but you never reach your full potential, because you didn't have the guts to face your true, inner, authentic self.

Now that I have seen a new part of Michael Fassbender's talent, I have become a huge fan of his art. I love actors with courage in their profession, who dare to turn themselves inside out, to transform, not take the easy way in and out. True art can hurt, can be painful and confronting psychologically. But that is also the fascinating part about acting. And it is immensely gratifying in the end if you have the ambition to grow in your profession.

I do have to watch this film on DVD again so I can put the film on 'pause' and 'rewind' to think over what just has been said and really take things in. It is not an easy film, not everybody will get it right away. And too bad that psychoanalysis is out of style, because I believe that hours long talk-therapy works best when you don't have to look into the piercing eyes of your therapist, which is very distracting from what you have to say. There is a certain hypnotic effect in staring at the ceiling, or closing your eyes, which brings you to the core of your inner turmoil. But, it is too expensive these days. And that is really too bad.

I gave it 9 instead of 10 stars because I thought Keira Knightley acted her insanity too over-the-top, too melodramatic. It made me think more of someone spastic or epileptic, than the woman with a nervous breakdown she meant to be. Like she said, she wasn't crazy. Why else did she turn out to be such a genius in the psychoanalytic field.

I knew Shame would not be a day in the park, but I didn't expect it would be such a confrontation with pain and sadness that I had tucked away deeply. Having been in a relationship with someone who was addicted to internetporn, sexphonelines and (sleazy) dating sites, but unable to be intimate with me affectionately and sexually, this film was a very painful confrontation. Just like Brandon my partner was very becoming in his ways in company, somewhat bashful and humble, very handsome, successful in his line of work, but in private he could be very humiliating towards me, pushing me away when I wanted a cuddle or snuggle up, worked me almost literally out the door when he needed to go online again ('Alright, closing time!'). I had never been with someone who was unable to have sex with me, so I didn't understand it and I couldn't recognize the disorder. And I was in love. So I stayed. Took a lover to not totally waste away, but I was miserable and unhappy – but in denial about the seriousness of the situation. Although I tried to get him to get help together from a therapist. But he said he didn't need any help; He didn't have a problem. He said he was just not that sexual. (Not much later I found out, he was addicted to porn, phonesex and dating sites). Worse: He turned things around and called me "needy" and "clingy". He snapped just like Brandon to Sissy: 'Stop being a victim! You're dragging me down!' If I could have recognized and interpreted the signs, if I had seen this movie back then, then maybe I would have stepped out of the relationship after already three months, instead of staying for years and waste my prime time on a relationship that was going nowhere and which slowly wore me out physically and mentally. This movie is very important! Very important for everybody who is not in touch with their emotions and is addicted to all sorts of loveless sex and porn, but terrified to connect with other people and to be intimate in a relationship. And it is important for everybody who is in a relationship with such a person. It is a real wake-up call. It will get you in touch with your true feelings. And only the truth can set you free, as painful as it is! So therefor I gave it 10 stars, because it is a very important and brilliantly made film.