Review of Filth (2013) by Dave P — 12 Oct 2013

The Thin White Line.

Oh how I've waited for Filth, I know it's wrong, I know it will be all about wrong and bad things, even one look at the poster could tell you that, the great James McAvoy riding a bucking Pig dressed in full Police uniform. You know Filth will be bad for you, but I was looking forward to it anyway but I suppose the reel question is will this new drama comedy, from the writer of Trainspotting send me into a Trance or just be a Pigs Ear?

James McAvoy really has gone off the deep end, so far this year the man has made Trance, Welcome To The Punch and now this. The man has clearly gone insane. Gone are the days when we thought he was a man who wasn't versatile, that idea has been totally obliterated, no now we all see James McAvoy for what he really is. McAvoy is one of the greatest actors living today, if you don't believe me just watch Filth.

Because in Filth, McAvoy plays he greatest challenge yet, he portrays Bruce who on all accounts is not a very nice man, he is debauch, crude, violent, psychotic and addicted to just about anything you can be addicted to. However, unlike Trance this fact is never hidden, we are shown this from the very beginning with Bruce, here is a man who is on his way down, and he's going to take all of us down with him.

That is the plot more than any other for Filth, it is an exploration into the mind of a man who is quite clearly losing control as well as his mind, he is continually savaged by guilt and the past. Bruce has no rest in the film, but at the same time we never feel sorry for him, even in the climatic conclusion do we ever feel pity for Bruce for we know in our hearts (just like Trianspotting) he has brought it all on himself.

I'm not sure what to classify Filth as because it's defiantly not a comedy, it's not a drama, or a thriller, not a sci-fi, a fantasy or a horror, it's none of these things , Filth is like Trainspotting in that respect, it is everything and nothing both at the same time.

What I do love about Filth is that it's told clearly from the perspective of Bruce, so we are shown little gems into his own personal brand of insanity from the off point. Filth never hides the fact that it's nasty and it knows it, because no matter what anyone says, no one, and I do mean NO ONE will see the ending of Filth coming.

You know I've been thinking about this for a little while now, and I've decided I really like Jamie Bell in Filth he is maybe used a little too sparingly, but that just makes me enjoy his screen time all the more. Imogen Poots is outstanding on all fronts, Jim Broadbent is his usual joist self, the supporting cast are all exception, with standout performances given by everyone, mind my favourite is still Eddie Marsan.

Even with everything I've just said, this is James' film and everyone knows it.

I know it's probably wrong for me to admit this, but I enjoyed Filth, I thought it was original, imaginative, clever, unique and powerful. It was just about everything a truly great film should be. The directing was perfect with just an occasional movement towards other films, the script was razor sharp, the tension and story build masterfully, it didn't bottle on its ending or message, the cast are exceptional, and even the end Credits makes you smile. I truly can't think of a bad thing to say about it, apart from that it's a film more twisted than Trance and darker than Trainspotting.

Filth is just what it says on the tin, it is filthy, it is gorgeous, it is disgusting and it's nasty, and I loved every second of it, a film that is as intelligent, interesting and unique as Trainspotting, but still not surpassing that great.