Rahman Karasu
First of all I have to say that I was satisfied with this movie. Ewan McGregor acts terrific. He looks very gentile and young in this movie and appears in leading role. "Shallow Grave" is a low budget film, like the other Euro-origin movies. The film has a way-out beginning. I also liked the manner of telling which made by the Christopher Ecclestone. His questioning attitude carve out the main theme of the movie. A great movie for suspense fanciers.
Leofwine_draca
Clearly, Danny Boyle is a self-indulgent man. The director has wowed critics and won Oscars for fare such as TRAINSPOTTING and SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, but I'm one of those who doesn't see what all the fuss is about. The only two films of his I've genuinely liked – SUNSHINE and 28 DAYS LATER – have been genre flicks in which the director's so-called style has been put on the back burner out of necessity. The problem of Boyle is that he doesn't know how to direct people, which is why I could ignore his flaws when I had pretend zombies and sci-fi stuff to distract me from his shortcomings. But SHALLOW GRAVE, along with TRAINSPOTTING, marks the director at his worst, saddled with directing a script populated by totally unlikeable characters whom you hope will just die from the very outset.The story in this one is predictable and enlivened by nothing. The trio of main characters are repulsive bullies and the actors seem to think exaggerating every word and expression constitutes acting; not so. McGregor is annoying, Fox is despicable, and Eccleston just about gets by with a kooky turn. There's also Ken Stott, doing the detective stuff years before Rebus, and a naked Keith Allen to put you off. Things get more unbelievable as the film goes on, with bodies buried out in the woods, cars rolled off cliffs, and people hiding out in lofts. Then there's a so-called twist ending which you can see a mile off, and you're left wondering "is that it?". This film is a total bore. For an example of how to do this kind of story justice, look no further than Sam Raimi's excellent A SIMPLE PLAN.
Lee Eisenberg
In the past twenty years, Danny Boyle has become a noted director. His oeuvre includes "Trainspotting", "Slumdog Millionaire" and "127 Hours". His directorial debut was the black comedy "Shallow Grave". The premise seems routine: some friends find a cache of money near a man who apparently committed suicide and decide to keep it. But it's only after that when the real part of the movie begins. You see, these friends aren't the nicest people to begin with - they're real a**holes to their potential new apartment sharers - but once the episode with the dead body ends, they turn practically psychotic.Ewan McGregor in his debut here looks almost like a teenager. His character's handsome looks hide a Machiavellian side. He, Kerry Fox and Christopher Eccleston turn in some great performances as the friends, growing more suspicious of each other as the movie progresses. But the bulk of the credit should go to Boyle, who moves everything along at the right pace to a surprising ending. I recommend it.
karl_consiglio
Immediately they should have hidden the money. Then call the police about the body. Then when all the investigating is over split the money. And each goes their own way. Until they meet again all prosperous. But apart from that it was a tight all suspenseful movie. Never undermine anybody! Thing is my way would not have got that guy all messed up. Love the snappy humor. Could they not have chopped the body up together? Done pieces in turns maybe? Share the responsibility. My favorite part was when under questioning the chick was asked whether she remembers people by their faces or names best. And being a nurse she says "diseases". Then the investigator says that just like her he recalls people's behavior by their crimes. I do recommend this movie.
AD
