SHALLOW GRAVE
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1995 Ben Hoffman
Here we have a humorous, taut, gory and fast-moving mystery that will keep you more than interested as your emotions get rocked about in this sometimes funny, sometimes violent film. Made in Scotland (in 1994) we here in the States could occasionally use subtitles but for the most part we know what is being said and what is happening.
Juliet (Kerry Fox), David (Christopher Eccleston) and Alex (Ewan McGregor) live together as friends in a large apartment. They advertise for a fourth roommate. Juliet is a doctor, Alex is a reporter but I never did find out what David does for a living except that he is always in a hurry as he leaves with his briefcase. After interviewing what seems like dozens of people, none of whom fits the criteria set up by the three roommates, (picky, picky, picky) they finally agree on Hugo (Keith Allen) who appears to be just the right kind of roommate they are looking for.
That, however, does not last long as the very next morning they discover Hugo lying nude and dead (Dr. Juliet confirms he O.D.'d) and a drawer reveals a hypodermic needle.) While they are about to call the police, they discover a suitcase which when opened reveals it is filled with money. This presents a dilemma. To keep or not to keep, that is the question. They decide, after much ... well, a little ... soul searching they could use the money better than the authorities. Of course, there is the little matter of getting rid of the body.
All of this takes place in perhaps the first twenty minutes of the film. The fun and the mystery, more murders and police, disputes among the three former friends take up the the remainder of the film.
Nicely directed by Danny Boyle who manages to bring out the changes in people when money is involved ... and to do it with no wasted film.
3.5 Bytes 4 Bytes = Absolutely must see. 3 Bytes = Too good to be missed. 2 Bytes = So so. 1 Byte = Save your money.
Ben Hoffman
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