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Not very original (the world of film is full of twists like this), but with nice dark humour, very entertaining and with an unexpectedly crazy climax (and crazy throughout, actually). Danny Boyle has really nothing to be ashamed of with his début. (19.05.2011)

The film has a good idea in the exposed body of a junkie who left behind a lot of money. However, Boyle had to break the whole plot mightily over his knee twice to get to the end. Thankfully, he showed how much talent he has and very skillfully skated through both a regular psycho-thriller and a distinctive variation of Dostoevsky’s "Crime and Punishment." Admittedly, the film eventually ended up being shallowly cheap, but that made the point all the more entertaining. Genius or incompetence? I got caught up in it and had fun at the same time, so thanks, Danny! (11.05.2007)

Years later, I returned to Shallow Grave with high expectations, wondering if two decades since its creation have influenced its qualities in any fatal way. It happens to me all too often that repeated viewings result in disappointment. Granted, Shallow Grave lost one star from me, but it is still decent entertainment, and as Boyle's debut film, it holds up without problems. Three friends who have yet to face any fateful test in life and a suitcase full of dirty money. What could go wrong? It is clear that Boyle still lacked valuable experience and was only beginning to flourish with his masterpiece, Trainspotting. Occasionally, there are rough edges and unused potential in this film, but it is equally evident that one of the most talented British filmmakers of his generation had made his mark back then. Similarly, it is clear that among the trio of actors that Boyle gave a chance, Ewan McGregor had the greatest potential. Even in 1994, it was evident that he was headed for international success. Overall impression: 60%. (25.08.2015)

Danny Boyle has a knack for getting the most out of the minimum. In this case, it was decent value for money, which he still had to scrape together. But it paid off. The beginning is relatively weak and in order for the film to reach its thrilling end, the viewer must endure a significant number of mistakes and dead ends, but as a whole it is enjoyable and the effort is visible, so there is no reason not to accept the situation. The most annoying thing is the blatant made-for-TV production design, the irritating accent of the main characters, and some incomprehensible scenes where several minutes of crucial connections and key information seem to be missing. Even so, this project is worth seeing, at the very least it was the launching pad of Ewan McGregor’s career. (14.04.2008)

"Is he still here?" - "Yeah, he couldn't start the car." I've had the DVDs of Danny Boyle's films at home for a while, but I've been putting them off for a long time. Why, you ask? I can't get my head around that now after the amazing Shallow Grave. Wow, that was something! I don't think I was breathing for the last quarter of an hour. A truly unforgettable film - a brilliantly filmed spectacle of perhaps every possible human emotion that swallows you, chews you up, spits you out, and lets you go about your business. (10.05.2011)

The first few minutes make it clear that the whole film is going to be in a rather kinky and perverted vein, which is of course not unreasonable considering the central trio. Shallow Grave is a wonderfully playful film, whose greatest strength is in the gradation, the perfect directing of the actors, and the occasional "lightening", or rather black humor, which is scarce here, but even in a few moments it is excellent (carrying a body down a staircase, for example). This is the Danny Boyle I like. His early work is almost an affair of the heart for me, and along with Trainspotting I rank Shallow Grave as one of the best, if not the best, Boyle has ever made. It doesn't yet have a fat budget or Hollywood stars par excellence, it's all so "pure" and honest and you can feel how lovingly it's made. I really, really liked it. (19.06.2011)