Review of Filth (2013) by Alex R — 13 Mar 2014

The novel of Irvine Welsh have always been a tough sell for most film goers with only Trainspotting really grabbing any attention.

But James McAvoy and his director John S Baird have captured lightning in a bottle and given us a film which pretty much matches taht earlier film in terms of quality.

McAvoy plays the corrupt and bigoted Bruce Robertson an Edinborugh policeman who is drinking too much taking way too many drugs and having sex with his colleagues wives.

His personal life is a mess and his colleagues are not much better with there own demons to chase.

When a promotion comes up Robertson will stop at nothing to get it even if it means destroying those around him.

This being Irvine Welsh there is plenty of bad language,sex and very funny moments.

McAvoy is amazing in the title role and its a million miles away from the more clean cut roles he has been cast in.

The supporting cast are all excellent most notably Eddie Marsan as Bladesy a man with too much money and not enough sense and Shirley Henderson as his trophy wife.

Despite all the deacandence Baird does give a film a human core and there are also monments of Gilliam like lunacy to add to all the black comedy..