Shallow Grave

1995 "What's a little murder among friends?"
7.2| 1h33m| R| en| More Info
Released: 10 February 1995 Released
Producted By: Figment Films
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

When David, Juliet, and Alex find their new roommate dead with a large sum of money, they agree to hide the body and keep the cash. However, this newfound fortune gradually corrodes their friendship.

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Reviews

Peereddi I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.
Edwin The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama
Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
Charles Camp As far as craft is concerned, Shallow Grave is an impressive film. Danny Boyle is a stylish filmmaker and despite the fact that this is his first directorial effort, that style shines through. This is a very good-looking film with excellent set design and color scheming, as well as great camera-work. There's also an undeniable giddiness and energy to the film. It feels like the product of a talented guy who loves movies and has finally been given the opportunity to make his own; he's having fun, and it's infectious.It really is a shame then that I couldn't get into this. For all of its style and unique energy, this movie ultimately failed to engage on an intellectual or emotional level. There are potentially good themes at work here as we see these three friends devolve into increasingly nefarious behavior: greed, corruption, and the inability to trust even those closest to you. But ultimately these themes aren't so much explored as they are presented. I don't feel as if I've gained any insight into the dark impulses of man as the credits roll, even if I have been shown them.Perhaps the reason for this is my inability to really get on board with these characters. The performances themselves are actually quite good, with Ewan McGregor in particular giving a great portrayal of Alex which (intentional or not) is reminiscent of Malcolm McDowell as another (more memorable) Alex. However, I never felt like I really understood these characters or their motivations. They were introduced to be relatively immature and cruel in the beginning of the film as they torment some prospective roommates, but they essentially go from 0 to 60 from there without much setup. It wasn't so much a descent into criminality as a leap off of a cliff, which felt at odds with the fact that at least two of the three main characters were clearly well- off, intelligent, and successful (doctor and accountant). The film tries to make a grand statement - at the outset it claims that the actions we are about to witness are things that any individual is capable of, even those who we would typically trust or deem honorable. It tries to reveal the primal, selfish nature of humans and the potential corrupting power of greed. But that theme doesn't ring true because of the lack of setup given to these characters. The quickness with which they jump to the heinous crimes they commit gives the impression that they were already morally compromised and sadistic to begin with. It doesn't feel like I'm watching average, decent people who have been seduced to violence by greed. Rather, I feel like I'm watching the story of these three specific opportunists who already lack empathy for others and, not surprisingly, spiral downwards when put in the situation that the film sets up. The universality of the theme just doesn't land.So then, what if you just forget the failed thematic goal and view the film as just that - a stylish thriller about three bad friends doing bad things? I think your mileage will still vary. There just wasn't enough intrigue in the plot for it to really hold the film up on its own accord, and the characters aren't colorful or fleshed-out enough to stand next to similar creations like the aforementioned Alex DeLarge. Beyond the style, great visuals, and giddy energy, the film just doesn't have much else going for it.
gavin6942 Three friends discover their new flatmate dead but loaded with cash.So, Danny Boyle's dad says this is the best Danny Boyle film, even better than "Slumdog Millionaire". With all due respect to Mr. Boyle, I have to disagree. This is a good film, but not the major splash such films as "Slumdog" or "28 Days later" were. For many people, Danny Boyle revolutionized the zombie film.It is great to see Ewan McGregor and Chris Eccleston in such early roles. I do not know enough about British films to be sure, but it seems like these two gentlemen and Boyle were on the rise at the same time, and very much because of each other. ("Trainspotting" had to be the breakout film for Boyle, and was likely for McGregor, too.)
ivan-campari This is an enjoyable little movie with an interesting premise, some good plot twists, fine acting and a lot of humor and style. Boyle's directorial debut is very impressive: the camera-work is at times very stylish. The movie is able to build a lot of tension and to keep the viewer glued to the screen. Some specific sequences and ideas are just great. Having said all of these good things, I can't help but to think that the final part of the movie didn't fully convince me and in its excesses it becomes less and less plausible. The evolution's of Eccleston's character is particularly hard to believe. But this doesn't change the fact that this is a stylish movie that grabbed my attention from start to end, made me laugh several times and even surprised me a couple of other times. Overall, I would recommend it to almost anyone who likes thrillers and crime movies.
SnoopyStyle Juliet Miller (Kerry Fox), David Stephens (Christopher Eccleston), and Alex Law (Ewan McGregor) are three flatmates looking for someone to rent the fourth room. They are all sarcastic, sharp-tongued, and generally mean-spirited. They agree on the charismatic Hugo (Keith Allen) but don't know his criminal activities. When they discover his dead body, they also find a suitcase full of money.Before Danny Boyle's breakthrough movie 'Trainspotting', this is his first big screen debut. The leads are not likable. They are all unlikeable selfish untrustworthy jerks. It's dark. It has three amazing performances. And it has a great Hitchcockian style. It is sharp and brilliant. It has some funny moments especially as they skewer the roommate interviews. It builds up to great tension. It's just good dark fun.