Filth (2013)

Directed by: Jon S. Baird
Country: UK

Movie Review: Adapted from another great novel by Irvine Welsh (“Trainspotting”), Jon S. Baird’s sophomore feature, “Filth”, is far more ambitious than its predecessor, “Cass”, carrying  all the irreverence and sarcastic humor, so traditional in this type of British comedies punctuated with bursts of violence and thrilling plots. Set in Edinburgh, Scotland the plot follows the anti-hero detective-sergeant Bruce Robertson (James McAvoy), a bipolar, alcoholic, and corrupt junkie cop whose dream is to be promoted to detective-inspector and then retrieve his wife and daughter. When a Japanese student is murdered in the silence of the night, Robertson has his opportunity since he was assigned to oversee the case. However, he sinks himself in a spiral of alcohol and drugs that will increase his frequent hallucinations and consequent cruel behaviors, especially involving his bland masonic-fellow friend Bladesey (Eddie Marsan). As the title implies, Baird frequently creates coarse scenarios, most of them involving sex, better defining Robertson’s miserable state of mind, but often accompanied with hilarious touches. His vibrant direction was able to enhance even more the disquietness whenever the film needed a push, never allowing the story to freeze in any occasion. “Filth” brings up a bustling vitality and finishes in style by drawing a wry scenario at the sound of Clint Mansell’s version of Radiohead’s “Creep”.