Hunger

'Hunger' is a very different type of movie. Based on the violent 1981 Irish hunger strikes, Steve McQueen directs a unique and visually captivating film. Starring Michael Fassbender (Jane Eyre, 300) as Bobby Sands - the IRA leader who, while imprisoned, leads the historic hunger strike of the Maze Prison. The visual components of the film were beautiful. He contrasts the beautiful life outside with the very violent scenes of torture and human rights violations.
McQueen draws upon the lack of dialog to create an eerie and empty feel throughout the film simply to reflect the solitary life in prison. After an hour and fifteen minutes of minimal dialog, one of the most impressive single-shot conversation sequences (that lasts about 12 minutes) ensues.. and is truly impressive. Sands talks to his priest, warning him that he is about to spearhead the hunger strikes; the two then argue about conforming to the British government and the dangers of staying loyal to Ireland. It took me about three minutes to realize that the dialog was being captured in a continuing shot, and the conversation lasted about nine minutes. The amazing performance given by Fassbender is nearly overshadowed by his scary physical transformation. Similar to Christian Bale's extreem weight loss for  'The Machinist', Fassbender dropped to an alarming weight in preparation for the role. I was so touched/disturbed by this movie that I was thinking about it days after watching it, it really resonateed with me. I haven't given many movies 5/5, but this dark drama deserves it! 5/5 Stars ★★★★★