Shallow Grave MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 Content: -3

Three roommates, Juliet (Kerry Fox), David (Christopher Eccleston), and Alex (Ewan McGregor) are looking for a fourth to share their flat. Hugo (Keith Allen) seems the perfect fit. But the roommates find him dead of a drug overdose after he moves in. They also find a suitcase full of money. After several days of agonizing, they decide to keep the money and to dismember and dispose of Hugo's body. Despite Juliet being a doctor, the short straw for the task falls to milk-toast accountant, David. The task seems to give David courage to stand up to others, but he also begins to act strangely. He retreats to the attic with the money, avoiding contact with his roommates. When Hugo's accomplices break into the flat, David has two more shallow graves to dig. Billed as a horror-comedy, this sometimes humorous film should have been buried earlier.

Love of money is the root of all evil becomes this film's message. Rather than notify the police, the roommates decide to conceal a death and keep the money. This leads to numerous acts of violence, beginning with Hugo robbing people at cash machines with graphic kicks and blows. His partners are equally violent as they search for the money, holding one man under bath water and locking another in a freezer. While the dismemberment takes place off-screen, a bloody hand is seen partially wrapped in plastic. In a later fight over the money, David stabs Alex in the shoulder, pinning him to the floor, only to be stabbed through the throat by Juliet. Along with the violence, full male frontal nudity of a corpse is shown, as well as some male rear nudity and brief breast nudity. Sex is implied between David and Juliet as she attempts to get the money from him. David spouts out most of the obscenities, perhaps to illustrate his new found courage. Avoid this sick, offensive British import.

Preview Reviewer: Paul R. Bicking
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures, 9247 Alden Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210