Filth (2014)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  7 / 10

  Filth substitutes witty dialogue for vulgarity. The first few minutes were shown and I slowly sinked into my seat thinking "...this is going to be one of those films isn't it?". Yet despite the obscene use of sex, drugs and alcohol there is actually a sympathetic undertone. A detective sergeant increasingly experiences hallucinations whilst investigating the murder of a Japanese student, in doing so he is aiming for a promotion to detective inspector. An adaptation of a novel written by Irvine Welsh can only mean two things: It involves drugs and is set in Scotland. Whilst this does not have the same controversial aftershock that 'Trainspotting' made back in 96', it's still unpleasantly warped and enthusiastic in the demented characters it creates. Yes, our "protagonist" is a bully and can only be summed up as the worst detective in all of Scotland, but there is a saddening reason for his inhumane behaviour. A reason that surprisingly compelled me and made the entire third act extremely interesting and enthralling. The tonal shift from what seemed to be pointless ribaldry to then become a character study felt seamless to which I have to give credit to director Baird. James McAvoy possibly gives the best performance of his career and Eddie Marsan is always captivating. Him dancing to Darude's Sandstorm whilst being completely off his face was a beauty to behold. Would've liked to have seen more from Jamie Bell and Imogen Poots who only got to shine rarely during the runtime, but this is purely focussed on McAvoy to which he dominates the screen. The screenplay needed some finesse, just to add the needed additional characterisation and memorability that the film ultimately required. It could've been both crude and intelligently written. The narrative is rather messy during the first two acts, jumping from scene to scene like an Olympic athlete on Speed. It is jarring and will take time to adjust, however this is a brilliantly acted crime comedy that lavishes in its own vulgarity. Not many films live up to their title, but Filth does!

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