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Shallow Grave -
Danny Boyle's feature debut is a pretty good noir that reminds us of the importance of background checks. Are the three roomies kind of cold and not particularly likeable? Sure, but this contributes to our reaction when we learn their fates. Also, while cold, they're hardly empty shells: each one has a distinct personality, which helps us imagine what we would do in their situation. In case you're wondering, I'd probably become the monster that Eccleston becomes. It's also a joy to see him, MacGregor and Peter Mullan before they became household names. It's not hard to see why their careers took off afterwards. I surprisingly haven't seen Kerry Fox in anything else, but she is in some movies I would like to see. I also liked seeing the hints of what would become Boyle's trademarks, the intro with the house music and frantic camera in particular.
I enjoyed the movie and think it tells a good story about how greed can turn even close-knit friendships into a house of cards, but I ultimately find it a bit serviceable on the whole. There was more than one time when I couldn't help but think of how most of the Coens' movies and the similar A Simple Plan did certain things better. I'm still glad I got to take another chance with it again, especially since I didn't like it that much the first time I saw it. I'm also glad that Cameron got the chance to stand up for himself.
Danny Boyle's feature debut is a pretty good noir that reminds us of the importance of background checks. Are the three roomies kind of cold and not particularly likeable? Sure, but this contributes to our reaction when we learn their fates. Also, while cold, they're hardly empty shells: each one has a distinct personality, which helps us imagine what we would do in their situation. In case you're wondering, I'd probably become the monster that Eccleston becomes. It's also a joy to see him, MacGregor and Peter Mullan before they became household names. It's not hard to see why their careers took off afterwards. I surprisingly haven't seen Kerry Fox in anything else, but she is in some movies I would like to see. I also liked seeing the hints of what would become Boyle's trademarks, the intro with the house music and frantic camera in particular.
I enjoyed the movie and think it tells a good story about how greed can turn even close-knit friendships into a house of cards, but I ultimately find it a bit serviceable on the whole. There was more than one time when I couldn't help but think of how most of the Coens' movies and the similar A Simple Plan did certain things better. I'm still glad I got to take another chance with it again, especially since I didn't like it that much the first time I saw it. I'm also glad that Cameron got the chance to stand up for himself.