Film of the Day: "Shallow Grave" – The Film That Launched Ewan McGregor and Danny Boyle

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Today we're watching a film that completely revolutionized what British cinema could be.

"Shallow Grave" (1994) by Danny Boyle – both the debut feature from the future director of "Trainspotting" and a manifesto from a new generation of filmmakers ready to talk about morality through the language of black comedy and thriller.

What it's about

Three young Edinburgh residents – accountant David (Christopher Eccleston), doctor Juliet (Kerry Fox), and journalist Alex ( ) – are looking for a fourth flatmate for their spacious apartment.

After a series of sadistic interviews with candidates, they choose a mysterious guy named Hugo. But the next morning, they find him dead with a suitcase full of cash beside him. At their "family meeting," they make a decision: we keep the money, bury the body, tell no one. Seems simple enough. But as one of the characters says early in the film: "If you can't trust your friends, what then?" And that's where things get really interesting.

What critics said

Critics received "Shallow Grave" with mixed but generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film that came out 30 years ago has 72% positive reviews with an average rating of 6.6/10, while Metacritic gives it 69 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
Shallow Grave. Trailer
Caroline Westbrook from Empire Magazine gave the film 5 out of 5 stars and wrote: "This is the best British thriller for years, a chilling, claustrophobic hit based on a moral dilemma." Derek Elley from Variety called it "a pitch-black comedy that races along on a wave of visual inventiveness and script."

Of course, there were skeptics too. Critic Roger Ebert gave it just 2 out of 4 stars, writing: "All the pieces are in place... But somehow they don't come together." Some critics felt the film devolved into unmotivated violence in its second half.

Why you should watch it now

Thirty years later, "Shallow Grave" remains surprisingly fresh and relevant. First, it's a textbook example of how to make a stylish thriller on a minimal budget of one million pounds. Debut films simply shouldn't be this good, but this one's an exception.
Young Ewan McGregor with long hair looking at a stack of money
This is Ewan McGregor's first major role
Source: IMDb
Second, the film asks questions that never lose their relevance: what would you do for money? Would you kill? Would you betray your friends? And most importantly – would money actually make you happy?

Ewan McGregor's debut starring role deserves special attention. In 1994, he was an unknown actor, but "Shallow Grave" changed everything. At the very least, Boyle soon cast McGregor in the lead role of "Trainspotting," which brought the actor genuine worldwide fame.
There's no question who owns the film: Ewan McGregor is energetic, convincing and photogenic as the young journalist.
KMDB user samuliff
Technically, "Shallow Grave" showcases Boyle's signature techniques – breakneck pace, electronic music, mesmerizing camera angles. And finally, it's simply an excellent psychological thriller in the Hitchcock tradition that keeps you on edge for all 89 minutes.