Shallow Grave

Director: Danny Boyle
Film4 Archive

A black comedy from director Danny Boyle, starring Ewan McGregor in his first major role.

David, Alex and Juliet are looking for a flatmate. They don’t want a nerd, a freak or a social inadequate, which is a pity really, because they seem to be the only ones answering the ad. 

When Hugo appears, he’s like a breath of fresh air. He seems like a cool guy, and he passes a rigorous interviewing process with ease and charm. He even pays for dinner, which impresses everyone. So Hugo moves in. Hugo soon proves to be just as cool as his new flatmates thought. So cool, in fact, that he is discovered lying stone cold dead in his room the day after he moves in. Cause of death, says Juliet - and Juliet should know because after all she is a doctor - is a massive drugs overdose. This pales into insignificance, however, beside the large suitcase full to bursting point with a huge amount of cash - money that smells as funny as Hugo’s decomposing body.

David, Alex and Juliet are presented with a massive moral dilemma. Do they tell the police, hand in the cash and behave like normal members of society?

Awards

Shallow Grave won Best British Film at the British Academy Film Awards.