Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Shame Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 28, 2023

1988’s “Shame” has the vague appearance of an exploitation film, taking on the subject of sexual assault and the ways of fighting back, with its setting a rural Australian town filled with angry men. It’s the stuff of B-movies, but the screenplay by Beverly Blankenship and Michael Brindley doesn’t go in any grotesquely voyeuristic direction, electing to approach the topic of physical and psychological horror in a softer manner, getting to understand a situation of fear instead of celebrating it. It’s a unique approach, and while the endeavor slightly veers into unwelcome broadness at times, “Shame” retains a decent sense of fury, with star Deborra Lee-Furnace delivering strong work as a sharp woman suddenly in the middle of a male behavior mess in the middle of nowhere. Bottom-shelf cinema training has one expecting guns and gore, but director Steve Jodrell doesn’t take the bait, crafting a more sensitive understanding of corrupt power plays and intimidation, hoping to reach viewers instead of battering them.

On a motorcycle trip, racing across a corner of Australia, barrister Asta (Deborra Lee-Furness) is run off the road by wandering sheep, left to deal with minor repairs on her vehicle. She makes a stop in the small town of Ginborak, immediately receiving a lustful and hostile reception by the men of the community, who have no idea how to control themselves. Taking her motorcycle to repair shop owner Tim (Tony Barry), Asta is informed that replacement parts will take a few days, requiring her to stay, accepting a room on Tim’s property. During her first night, Asta witnesses the early morning arrival of Tim’s daughter, Lizzie (Simone Buchanan), who was sexually assaulted by Andrew, the son of the town’s top employer. Instead of seeking justice, Lizzie is intimidated into silence, which doesn’t sit well with Asta, who sets out to understand community attitudes and violence, which rubs the local men and cop Wal (Peter Aanensen) the wrong way. Befriending Lizzie and becoming a beacon of hope for the women in Ginborak, Asta pushes back when the predators start targeting her, using her legal mind and physical defiance to achieve some sense of justice, putting her in harm’s way.

“Shame” establishes Asta’s independence right away, as she’s willing to complete the repairs on her motorcycle herself, asking Tim for help with tool access. She’s happy to do her own thing and exit Ginborak in a hurry, but Asta finds herself a temporary resident instead, and in classic dramatic fashion, she’s pulled into a bad situation involving Lizzie’s sexual assault. The writing goes a little crazy depicting the local men as air horns in human form, with these monsters happy to destroy females, supported by the older generation, including Wal, who’s just as much of a creep as the rest of them. However, this exaggeration is meant to define the conflict, with Asta’s big city confidence shaking up community order, putting mouth- breathers on edge as she first refuses their crude advances, and soon challenges local order.

Asta befriends Lizzie, a young women who’s left terrified by the situation, filled with humiliation as she faces her father, while the locals brand her a “slut,” relishing any chance to torment her. “Shame” tracks Asta’s relationship with Lizzie, helping to empower the victim as they attempt to bring the assault to the courts, and it focuses on Tim’s position in the middle of it all, aware that things are horrible in Ginborak, but fearful of challenging the men of the town, who are quick to engage in mob antics. Asta also stirs up feelings with the local women, who’ve witnessed and experienced all kinds of terror in their lives, happy to have an outsider who’s smart and quick with her fists, introducing a chance for change, with these excitable feelings pushing the film along.

Shame Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation does well with colors, with brightly lit locations bringing out blue skies and distinct greenery. Clothing choices offer primary power, along with interior decoration and mood lighting. Hair color is also memorable. Detail is softer, with a limited sense of skin particulars and costume textures. Distances are acceptable as the story moves around the rural community. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain looks processed and noisy, lacking a natural appearance. Source is in decent condition, with a few brief displays of wear and tear.

Shame Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix presents a simple understanding of sound elements, leading with dialogue exchanges, which remain clear and dramatic. Argumentative behavior is comfortable as well. Scoring favors plenty of piano tinkling, and instrumentation is defined, supporting mournful moods. More excitable music selections are also capable. Atmospherics are basic but appreciable.

Shame Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (22 pages) features an essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

• Commentary features director Steve Jodrell, screenwriter Michael Brindley, and actress Simone Buchanan.

• Interview (77:22, HD) is a video conference discussion of "Shame" with director Steve Jodrell, co-writer Beverley Blankenship, co-writer Michael Brindley, actress Simone Buchanan, and producer Paul Barron. Technical limitations are little troublesome, but the filmmaking professionals are eager to chart the development of "Shame," getting into the themes and tone of the material, the timbre of the performances, and the experience of the shoot. The ending of the feature is also extensively discussed.

• "Deborra-Lee Furnace: In Conversation" (26:54, SD) is a television special on the actress from 2009, with the star promoting the release of "Blessed." Furnace examines the themes and characters from the endeavor, getting into the psychology of the part. Career interests are detailed, with Furness working to battle her typecasting as "earthy matriarchs," trying to find interesting roles as she grows older. Talk turns to "Shame," and the interviewee shows pride in the work, crediting it as one of her favorite movies, also enjoying her time as a lesbian icon. Other career achievements are explored, including 1995's "Correlli" and 2006's "Jindabyne." Furness also discusses her feelings on adoption, raising two kids with her husband, Hugh Jackman.

• Oral History (22:43) is an audio examination of "Shame" with director Steve Jodrell, interviewed by film historian Paul Harris. The story proved difficult to manage at first, with the producers searching for the right people to make a picture about sexual violence. The production experience is recalled, including locations and casting, and technical achievements are explored. Distributor woes are also highlighted, with "Shame" eventually finding its way to an audience.

• Premiere Night (14:15, SD) is footage from the film's opening, examining the red carpet experience and post-screening thoughts.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:32, HD) is included.

Shame Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Shame" does well with restraint. We don't see the assaults, just the aftermath of one, creating a more uneasy feeling of personal pain, which carries to the endeavor's unexpectedly bleak conclusion. Climatic chases and aggression is added to the mix, but the writing does better with more human actions, as Asta isn't a superhero, but an educated, confident woman (Furness superbly captures such authority), becoming a force for good in Ginborak as others respond to her presence. "Shame" covers the process of denial ("these things happen" states a mother to Lizzie), and while the picture teases a soap opera tone, Jodrell keeps the movie upright and authentic when it comes to profound feelings of confusion, submission, and inspiration.