Shallow Grave

"That's what you paid for it. 500 pounds is what you paid for it. We don't know how much it cost us yet."

Everything has a price. Everything has a cost. A heavy toll that weighs down on our lives, on our friendships, on our souls. It may be a cliché, but nothing in life is ever truly free -- least of all a big suitcase full of cash -- and as the characters in Danny Boyle's feature film debut, 'Shallow Grave,' gradually discover, the fee they're forced to pay for their "happiness" may be more than they bargained for. A dark, satirical thriller seeped in greed and paranoia, the movie is a fantastic display of low budget ingenuity and grim storytelling. With its pitch black sense of humor, suspenseful twists, and gruesome climax, the filmmakers weave a classic noir influenced tale of backstabbing, deceit, and severed limbs, that manages to carve a unique identity all its own.

The story follows a trio of Edinburgh flatmates, David (Christopher Eccleston), Alex (Ewan McGregor), and Juliet (Kerry Fox) as they take in a new, mysterious tenant. After the boarder dies of a drug overdose, the group discovers a suitcase full of money left in his room. Unable to resist the allure of easy wealth, they hatch a plan to keep the cash. Unfortunately, their unsavory actions set off a slippery descent into greed and betrayal. As their once strong friendship starts to waver, the flatmates discover that they're not the only ones interested in the money, but outside threats might pale in comparison to the dangers that lurk within their own intimate circle.

John Hodge's script is a gleefully twisted take on classic noir/thriller conventions. The plot bears heavy similarities to the works of Alfred Hitchcock, Henri-Georges Clouzot, the Coen Brothers, John Huston's 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,' and even the macabre style of Edgar Allen Poe. All of these various influences are molded and synthesized into a striking balance of dark wit and stark aggression that come together to form a very familiar yet still unique screenplay, perfectly suited for the film's low budget. An undercurrent of satire permeates the work and the deceptively simple setup leads to a harrowing climax that feels like a punch to the gut. Greed and violence are central themes and the manner in which Hodge examines their heavy affect upon the characters is quite powerful. In its own way, the movie really focuses on the fragility of friendship, and the dramatic dissolution of the main characters' relationships is both disturbing and riveting.

Ultimately, this is a film about unpleasant people doing unpleasant things, and though there might be a few momentary bursts of commendable behavior, none of the characters are particularly likeable. Thankfully, the cast's performances are so strong that this never becomes an issue. These are squalid, selfish individuals who seem to be friends with each other because no one else would have them. Their insular, tightly-knit relationship makes their gradual betrayals all the more devastating. McGregor lends Alex a youthful, obnoxious arrogance and Kerry Fox creates a certain ambiguity in her performance that makes it hard to pin down her loyalties. The real standout, however, is Christopher Eccleston as the straight-laced David. His character goes through the most radical transformation, and without giving too much away, the actor does a fine job of handling the extreme personality shift.

Director Danny Boyle starts things off with a burst of hyper-kinetic energy that anticipates the manic style of his follow-up, 'Trainspotting.' While there are tiny hints of that later film's aggressive aesthetic throughout, the director soon mellows out and falls into a much more methodical, reserved but still briskly paced rhythm. Slow moving pans, tracks, and push-ins are prevalent throughout, adding an uneasy sense of motion and escalation to the narrative. Uncomfortable angles and moody lighting are also common, and the bold colors and noir influenced shadows featured in the characters' flat help to enhance the slightly heightened atmosphere. The movie's climax is a masterwork of unflinching brutality, and Boyle shoots it in a way that is both raw and cinematic all at once. Though Boyle's first feature, the filmmaker was already a veteran television director, and this experience may account for the movie's remarkably assured style. Much like the Coen Brothers' debut, 'Blood Simple,' one can truly see the emergence of a real cinematic talent.

Friendship, loyalty, trust –- these are all mere obstacles to overcome when money is part of the equation. No unsavory action comes without a cost, and in 'Shallow Grave' we see just how much some are forced to pay. A memorable feature film debut from Danny Boyle, the movie remains a suspenseful, funny, and disturbing descent into violence and deceit. With a trio of wholly unlikeable but expertly portrayed leads, the movie manages to entertain and thrill through a darkly, grim tale of blood and treachery. Like any great story about unsavory characters making poor choices, the climax leaves audiences with several moral quandaries and lessons learned. Beyond the obvious commentary on the pitfalls of greed, the real message here could not be more simple. Next time, dig deeper.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Criterion brings 'Shallow Grave' to Blu-ray in their standard clear case with spine number 616. The BD-50 region A disc comes packaged with a relatively slim booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp.