Shallow Grave (1994)

Written by CinemaSerf on May 15, 2024

Three flatmates are having some fun recruiting a fourth to share their spacious Glasgow apartment. "Juliet" (Kerry Fox) is a doctor; "Alex" (Ewan McGregor) is a tabloid journalist and finally "David" (Christopher Eccleston) is an accountant. Despite their differences this trio quite effectively rub along together. It's the doc who first meets the enigmatic "Hugo" (Keith Allen) who convinces the gang - thanks largely to his large wad of cash - that he is their perfect fit. He disappears into his room and after a few days of radio silence, they have to break down the door for a vision of him dead on a bed with a suitcase full of loot underneath it! Should they call the police or should they do a bit of DIY body disposal and keep it all? That's the premiss as they take the latter route and find themselves amidst a series of increasingly perilous scenarios that will change them and their relationship for ever. Yes, it's totally far-fetched but the characters work well together as the simplicity of their ideal becomes compromised in a sea of mistrust, greed and kitchen knives. It's the understated Miller who steals this for me, and there's a fun contribution from Colin McCredie as their would be sharer "Cameron" and Ken Stott's policeman "McCall" who has a pretty quirky approach to policing. There are a few plot holes but they don't really matter as this amiably comedic assessment of human nature races along entertainingly for ninety minutes.