By Delfina Merljak and Matías Montiel
Shallow Grave (1994)
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Starring: Christopher Eccleston, Kerry Fox & Ewan McGregor
Genre: Brit Indie Crime Thriller
Our Rating: 4 out of 5 Scott's
Shallow Grave was the film debut for Danny Boyle and stood in Britain’s most acclaimed film for months. The twisting plot revolving around three roommates and the mysterious appearance of their new roommate dead with a briefcase full of cash fueled dinner table conversations regarding the film all around the world. This britpop-indie masterpiece casted great actors, starring Christopher Eccleston, later be Doctor Who, stunning Kerry Fox and, another film debut, Ewan McGregor, later star in Trainspotting (1996) and as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy (1999-2005).
The film can be praised with all of the elements of filmmaking and how well it’s done. The cinematography features great close ups, intricately framed shots and goosebump-making pans, as far as to homagin Alfred Hitchcock’s style. Hidden symbolism like of the colour red make the psychological decadence of the characters even more impactful to the audience. Something excellently achieved by the film is the sound. You will not get the full gore or bloody corpses, but instead Boyle uses extremely realistic sound effects that, personally, are much more immersive than the visual and will make your shiver. Regarding the narrative, the characters are frighteningly realistic, which adds to the great suspense and thriller of the same characters spiraling down to deviance and madness.
On the other hand, Shallow Grave can be said to be too baffling to its audience and even to a point where your can’t comprehend what is happening. This has to do to the independent “indie” nature of the film, featuring overly long shots and infeasible conversation and scenarios between the characters.
Finally, Shallow Grave has a superb production effort and is a great friday night movie for anyone looking for a true thriller. The immersive narrative, great cinematography and characters make this films one of our all time favorites from the 90’s.