Film Review: Shallow Grave (1994)

Danny Boyle and John Hodge Created Brilliance Before Trainspotting

Apr 9, 2009 Andrea Beca

With three highly talented actors and an incredible writer/director team, Shallow Grave is a fail-proof film.

Before he took on the challenge of adapting Irvine Welsh’s novel, Trainspotting, into a film, John Hodge wrote a movie gem all of his own. Directed by the critically acclaimed Danny Boyle (most recently in the spotlight for his work as director of the multiple Oscar Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire), Shallow Grave is not to be missed.

Ewan McGregor Among Talented Cast of Shallow Grave

Shallow Grave centres on three friends and flatmates who live in Glasgow. They need to find a fourth flatmate, and they are successful in doing so, albeit rather briefly. Shortly after he moves in, Juliet (Kerry Fox), Alex (Ewan McGregor), and David (Christopher Eccleston) realize that their brand new flatmate, Hugo, is dead. And at the same time they discover his body, the flatmates also discover the briefcase full of money in Hugo’s possession.

Problems arise for the three friends when they try to decide how to handle this situation. Eventually, it is “agreed,” so to speak, that they will dispose of the body and keep the money. Straws are drawn, a body is dismembered, and Juliet, Alex, and David try to move on with their lives as though nothing ever happened.

The Guilt of a Crime Committed Drives David to Madness

While Juliet and Alex are able to continue their lives normally, even spending some of the stolen money, David cannot adapt so easily. He becomes suddenly shut in and paranoid, and when he realizes that his flatmates are carelessly spending the money, he takes the briefcase into his own hands, hiding it in the attic. Before long, David has become so intensely paranoid that he, too, is living in the attic, protecting the money.

Eccleston Delivers an Impressive Performance in Shallow Grave

David’s transformation is the most impressive aspect of Shallow Grave, both in regards to Christopher Eccleston’s performance, and in regards to John Hodge’s writing. You slowly watch him becoming absorbed by his post traumatic stress, until he changes into an animal, his senses heightened, his physicality accentuated and exaggerated, his breathing heavy. Soon, neither Juliet nor Alex are comfortable in their own home – they are under constant surveillance and David is increasingly unpredictable.

Hodge’s sheer brilliance shines even brighter in the last moments of the film, after tensions between the flatmates have reached a climax and the battle for the briefcase full of money erupts in full force. After a brutal fight, multiple wounds, and multiple back-stabbings, Hodge leaves the audience with an ironic twist you cannot help but laugh at.

With three fantastic performances, plus cameos from Scottish film regulars like Peter Mullan and Tony Curran, Shallow Grave is a must-see, especially for fans of Trainspotting and Danny Boyle’s other work.

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Shallow Grave: Essential Scottish Films	Kerry Fox, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston	Ewan McGregor Stars in John Hodge's Shallow Grave
John Hodge's Shallow Grave Reviewed