1994 Movie
Dir. Danny Boyle · United Kingdom · English
Three unlikeable snobs pick the wrong roommate in this hilarious crime drama
The three leads residing in the Edinburgh flat of Shallow Grave are terrible people. They’re obnoxious snobs that like to lord over potential roommates simply because they can. So you can imagine that it’s rather hilarious to see them get torn apart– not just because of themselves generally, but precisely because their snobbish roommate selection process chose the absolute wrong person to room with. Director Danny Boyle captures that meltdown with excellent shots and an electronic soundtrack, with compelling performances that balances the dark humor with the thrill, pairing the seemingly silly contempt they have for others with the real mistrust that lays between them even before money enters their lives. There are certain moments that do feel familiar, but on the whole, Shallow Grave digs deeper than expected.
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.
"Danny Boyle does wonders with a small budget, and the suave, dense-hued look of his movie stays with you long after the horror has evaporated."
— Anthony Lane
Living in a prime piece of real estate in Edinburgh, accountant David Stevens, doctor Juliet Miller, and journalist Alex Law finds a fourth roommate in an aloof man named Hugo. However, shortly after he moves in, they find Hugo dead of a drug overdose, just beside a large sum of cash.
Ewan McGregor is great, and this collaboration with Danny Boyle led to even more intriguing roles, but to be honest, whoever chose the flat for the film… It’s a great flat! The stairs, the kitchen, the living area… No wonder the three of them weren’t in a hurry to find a roommate.
Better a safe roommate than an uncool one.
Cannes
1 nom
BAFTA
2 wins
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
Comments