Review of Shallow Grave (1994) by Russell Y — 24 Nov 2009

?Taste different?

Ewan McGregor before Trianspotting, Christopher Eccleston before Dr. Who and Kerry Fox before, well nothing.

Juliet (Kerry Fox), David (Christopher Eccleston) and Alex (Ewan McGregor) are three young friends who share a flat in Edinburgh. When a new tenet moves in (Keith Allen) and dies almost immediately it is left to the other three friends to decide what to do with the body but more importantly what to do with the suitcase full of money he has left behind.

That opening monologue. The first thing you are shown is a face. The immediate quick camera cuts and the feeling of travelling, a thumping opening song. Yes, this is a Danny Boyle film and the first feature film for both him, Ewan McGregor and John Hodge (who wrote the screenplay). All three would reunite for Trainspotting and it?s clear watching Shallow Grave that they could indeed be connected, even to a point where Danny Boyle has implied that the character Keith Allen is the same man in both films (now, that is class and genius which is rarely if ever seen in cinema).

Shallow Grave just like Trainspotting is void of good people, all three of the main characters are total tossers, who?s only redeeming features it seems to be is each other. This is neatly outlined for us in the first three minuets of the film when the three systematically destroy the innocent Colin McCredie who has came round to look at the room they have spare in the flat, and that?s just the start.

Shallow Grave is about something more deep then what it looks (as always with Boyle) this is about how much you can?t trust you true friends (which is an reoccurring theme in Boyles work and for those of you keeping score does make him an artist of film). When we are first introduced to David, Alex and Juliet the three seem inseparable however as the film progresses and the mood shifts as we are shown the darker side to all three. This is what makes Shallow Grave so interesting to watch, is that it is an exploration into the human condition. It makes us all question what we would do in this situation. Just like all of Boyles other work, it is a challenging situation, no matter how you slice it.

Something that is truly wonderful about Shallow Grave is Christopher Eccleston. He gives the strongest performance of the three leads and what could be the best of his career. Watching him slowly lose his mind is a rare treat and one which everyone should view at least once. Too see that darker side of him and how great an actor Dr. Who really is. Also there is nothing finer in film history then Christopher Eccleston saying to a potential flat mate in a totally serious manner ?so how would you react then if I told you I was the anti-Christ??

Aside from everything else, you will find little hidden joys in Shallow Grave. As it was made in 1995 it gives us a rare opportunity to see some of the better known stars of Brittan before they were big, Ken Scott as Detective McCall (who has a ridicules hair cut) and Keith Allen are the most notable. This is generally because aside form the main characters there are very few people in Shallow Grave (yet another trademark of Boyle).

Bold, different and dynamic, it?s easy to see why this made starts out of everyone involved. Shallow Grave is anything but Shallow, it is a masterpiece. As good as Trainspotting, if not better.