Filth, el sucio

James McAvoy is playing one of the most interesting characters of his career. And he plays him in such a spooky way that it sometimes made me wonder whether I was watching a comedy or a properly tangled drama with an unexpected and all the more interesting ending. Truth to be told, I think it was the latter, even though there were a few scenes I laughed at. But if you have some idea about Trainspotting or Acid House, you also have some idea about this film, as the same writer is signed under it. So count on absurdity and sometimes quite brutal scenes at the expense of fun. Everyone will probably find something different in this. Anyhow, the ending is quite a killer, and that’s exactly the reason why I was so happy with the film. I wish there were more such films with an unexpected ending. (26.02.2015)

Bruce has all the qualities of a human that we label with the ugly term "asshole." No vice is foreign to him, no deceit or malice is too vile for him to use, and no friend is so valuable that he wouldn't sink, exploit, or humiliate them without a second thought. Life is an endless joyride for him, and he looks at everything around him pragmatically, aiming to get the most out of it. The comfortable life full of drugs, alcohol, and sexual pleasures is disrupted by the news that the position of the head of the criminal department has become available, a position he wants only so that he can enjoy and indulge himself even more. He focuses all his energy on sowing discord and compromising his colleagues, but at a certain point it becomes clear that the one who laughs last may not necessarily be the one who understood the joke last, but simply the one who is in the right place at the right time and knows how to be careful. In the first half, the film resembles a combination of Trainspotting and Californication, where the viewer can thoroughly laugh at Bruce's escapades. However, the second half quickly becomes more serious, with hallucinatory states, remorse, (self)pity, and fear. In short, the film radically changes. The author of the original story is Irvine Welsh, who has already made a name for himself with "Trainspotting" or "The Acid House," and his long experience of living among the underworld, junkies, and street gangs is clearly felt therein. He conceived the film as a drug whip, where at first there is a feeling of euphoria, and feverish activity, which is then replaced by hallucinations, depression, withdrawal, and exhaustion. Or you can see the film as the life story of a junkie, where at the beginning the drug gives and in the next phase it mercilessly takes more and more. The film relies on cynicism, black humor, and James McAvoy in the lead role, who has long been known to moviegoers as an excellent character actor with a hefty dose of charisma. Don't let the filth and the depravity of human relationships and the immorality of the main hero's behavior discourage you. This film is really not about miracles and heroic upholders of law and order. Overall impression: 80%. Bad Lieutenant with Nicolas Cage is two classes worse. This film has style, courage, and drive. (08.01.2014)

An unbalanced retelling of another one of Welsh’s books suffers from an average director who loses the ground under his feet mainly in the second part of the movie, but at the same time was incredibly lucky in casting McAvoy in the role of Robb. A marvelous concert of acting that covers up almost all flaws. On top of that, the first half is just packed with great lines... This way to the staff recruitment center, dear Santa. (21.02.2014)

Always a pleasure to get an infusion of first-rate nihilism, plus combined with the formal adoration of the protagonist (slow-mo shots, hero voice over). Of course, there's a moment with every such film when it's discovered that it's all really a response to trauma, inner tension, sad childhood blah blah blah, and with that the whole Bukowski circus goes to shit. In Filth, thankfully, that happens relatively late. (11.03.2014)

An oddly hybrid film. The first half is a comedy, the second half a clear drama. It does work well as a whole and at least it makes you realize what an interesting country Scotland is. James McAvoy played a schizophrenic very well. I became a fan of his character right after the balloon scene. You hardly ever get to see such a scumbag. Eddie Marsan also gave a great performance. The soundtrack was excellent and aptly chosen, so it's very hard for me to find anything to criticize. I had fun. (21.08.2016)

If Irvine Welsh had written a book of the same name before 1992, I would have probably applauded him, but while watching the movie "Filth," I couldn't help but feel that it was just a variation of the film "Lieutenant" from 1992, which also featured a similarly corrupt police officer, brilliantly played by Harvey Keitel. It didn't turn out any worse in the remake "Bad Lieutenant" with Nicolas Cage from 2009. "Filth" is actually just a British variation of the same theme, which unfortunately is sometimes too similar, although James McAvoy is very believable. However, I have to praise the absolutely fantastic selection of songs for the soundtrack. The film has an interesting progression in terms of what the main character perceives, but I think it could have gone even further. In this regard, it's not that exceptional, just well-graded. (12.04.2014)