Shallow Grave

The last time I wrote about movies I did mention Shallow Grave and said it was (IMHO) Danny Boyle's best work ever. However, I'm well aware that it's also probably the least known work from the notorious british filmaker, who reached world fame and critic recognition a couple of years later with the release of his second film, Trainspotting.

Shallow Grave tells the story of three friends, two guys and one girl, who share a flat big enough for the three of them and with an spare bedroom to rent. As the film starts we see the three of them interviewing prospects for a roomie. Eventually, and after some fun moments, they select a bussinessman who seems likeable enough. But his stay results shorter than anyone suspected. Just a couple of days after moving in they found him dead and in possession of a trunk full of money. They engage on an argument about what to do and in the end greed gets the best of them and they decide to get rid of the body and keep the money for themselves.

The film goes then to explore how their friendship is destroyed by greed and suspition. The movie marks Ewan McGregor first performance in a prominent part but the real breakthrough it's in the directorial work of Boyle, who skillfully succeds at telling a story build on character development. His trademark visual style it's present all along the film while the twists and plot devices are cleverly worked keeping the movie from becoming boring or predictable.

Shallow Grave it's a great directorial debut for the man responsible for such hits as Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Millions, and it would be a worthy part of anyone's collection.