Shallow Grave

REVIEW
This grisly Scottish black comedy tells an all-too familiar tale of greed-conquers-all, but an eccentric sense of style and some truly shocking twists make it a surprising and riveting thriller. The film follows three unlikable roommates: Alex (McGregor), David (Eccleston), and Juliet (Fox). After verbally intimidating and humiliating possible lodgers to share their gigantic Edinburgh flat, they decide on a shady character (Allen) whose irascible nature feeds their misanthropic appetites. Things unravel when he dies of a drug overdose and leaves them with a suitcase full of cash. They immediately go about hatching schemes to keep the money and dispose of the body and ultimately begin an inexorable descent into madness and greed. Debut director Boyle shows great promise; his visual prowess and sprightly script keep the tension building right up to the excruciating climax.