On Rotten Tomatoes, Filth is described as "Warped, grimy, and enthusiastically unpleasant, Filth lives up to its title splendidly." All this to describe a film categorized as "Crime" on IMDB makes them sound like they're exaggerating. Is it really a crime film? I'll quote Geoffrey Chaucer from A Knight's Tale and say "Funny really, yes, but at the same time a huge, resounding no."
Filth is a Scottish film, directed by Jon S. Baird and starring James McAvoy. I started watching this film expecting it to be great, but in no way did I expect it to blow me away like that.
I love dark comedies. The type of comedy that you're not exactly sure is a comedy because it's so depressing and/or disturbing. That's why I've always been a huge fan of Irish films! Filth was the second Scottish film I watch. And now that I'm done with it, I can honestly say it was so pants-shitting-ly good that I need to watch more Scottish films.
For starters, James McAvoy. My god! He made that film what it is. Until Filth, the darkest thing I've seen McAvoy do was his role in Wanted. And he was a total wimp in that! His most badass role was Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise. Still, he was such a goody-two-shoes that I wasn't prepared for his performance as Bruce in Filth.
I went into the film with this in mind:
Look at that face and tell me you don't want to snuggle him!
And I was bitch-slapped with this:
Snuggle at your own risk.
Don't get me wrong. I've always thought he was a good actor, I just didn't know he had that kind of range in him!
McAvoy's character, Bruce, is a bipolar, corrupt cop whose sole purpose throughout the film is to get a promotion and wreak havoc, simultaneously most of the time. From the very beginning you see him indulging in gratuitous amounts of alcohol, cocaine and abusive sexual relationships. He also explains from the start that he likes to play games. And by games he really means plotting against his colleagues and playing them against each other.
All the while keeping a facade of a helpful, charismatic - sort of - cop, who has a perfect family which everyone envies him for. As we watch him unravel, we start to realize that his problems started long before the film did. His hallucinations didn't just start; they've only intensified.
McAvoy's performance of a man falling further into a pit of insanity is nothing short of brilliant. It climaxes as the film ends with one of the most jaw-dropping scenes that literally made me cry and laugh at the same time. He repeatedly went from this:
It was exhausting to watch...
McAvoy's epic performance - which I don't know why he wasn't nominated for an Oscar for - aside, there's a lot more to love about this film. Let's begin with the most obvious: Soundtrack. It includes - but is not limited to - classics like Creep, Born to be Wild and Beethoven's 5th.
What? Doesn't remind you of anything? Not even this?
Nah, it's a far shot. Right? That's what I thought, as well. Then a little while into the film this happened.
See the poster behind him? Wait, he'll make sure you see it.
And in case that, too, was too subtle for you. McAvoy actually points at it and says "Hey, new poster!"
"What do you mean, not subtle enough?"
Keeping that in mind, all the dream sequences, hallucinations and face-making actually make sense. It's not overly influenced by Kubrick, but the film does have very Kubrick-esque elements. This didn't hurt at all, seeing how it perfectly fit the theme of corruption and insanity that was already present in the film.
Now to one of my favorite parts. It really is a comedy. I was watching it alone and I caught myself laughing out loud a few times. Something very difficult to be accomplished by a movie. Especially if it revolves around a man whose entire life is collapsing due to his violent insanity.
Be warned. Filth is deliberately upsetting. Racial slurs are thrown around casually; there's an abundance of very realistic abusive friendships and sexual relationships and the extreme, uncalled for violence starts from the first minute!
Filth does not shy away from shocking the audience. It doesn't have any regard for your delicate sensibilities. It will show you abuse, bullying and even rape. And it will not give you a chance to look away. This film will make sure you do not get off the emotional roller coaster early, but stay on for the entire ride. And it will do that by putting funny moments, while still not making light of the issues it addresses. And by giving you moments so heartbreaking for almost each character that you can't help but sympathize with them at certain points, no matter how terrible they are.
All in all, Filth exceeded my expectations, which were already pretty high. Everything from the way it was shot, to McAvoy's incredible transformation, to the effortlessly intense story line was sheer genius.
Now grab a box of tissues, watch the film and be grateful I didn't write any spoilers. God knows it was hard not to.
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