Lixo

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)

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)

Absolute perfection and the pinnacle of the comedy genre! The film is definitely not suitable for everyone! It features a lot of violence, bad language, hardcore pornography & masturbation, drugs and mental illness. All in all, it's a film that will make you laugh, chuckle and in the worst case, perhaps vomit. I've managed to enjoy this shocking ride twice now, as the film is quite a challenge to comprehend, but even the second time around it's still intense, psycho fun. 90% (30/01/2014)

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)

Filth is a very specific film, for which it is hard to find words. The plot is identical to its synopsis and it is more or less about ordinary days in the life of a totally unorthodox, sex and drug addicted, sarcastic, mentally disturbed detective trolling literally everything around him. There's a lot of inaccessibility, humor (which won’t sit well with everyone), and most importantly, a great James McAvoy, who is a first-rate actor and shows he can play just about anything from a psycho schizophrenic (Split) to a superhero (X-Men) to this annoying asshole. Personally, I wasn't as engrossed in the film as others and watched some of the second half after hours, but it's a pretty unconventional experience and for those looking for a diversion from today's mainstream, this is a hit. (18/03/2021)

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 the book of the same name before 1992, I might have applauded him, but while watching the film Filth, I just felt like it was merely a variation of the 1992 film Bad Lieutenant, where a similarly corrupt cop was brilliantly played by Harvey Keitel. It didn't turn out any better in the remake Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans with Nicolas Cage from 2009. Filth is essentially just a British variation on the same theme, which unfortunately is sometimes too similar, although James McAvoy is very believable in it. I must, however, commend 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 that regard, it's not exceptionally unique and it only builds up well. (12/04/2014)

The Filth is exactly the type of British comedies that I love very much, where a pleasant, catchy music plays during violent scenes. It's hard to write anything about this. Baird offers us his work with his first screenplay in a very crazy, but also intense way, where the main themes are mainly profanity, sex, violence, excellent lines, lots of crazy visions and characteristic characters, beautiful interiors and exteriors, various familiar soundtracks, humor, but to my surprise, also a bit of strong emotional scenes. McAvoy once again showed me another of his sides and again did not disappoint me. I must say that he was an excellent choice for the role of an aggressive, treacherous and heartless bastard, which I initially doubted. Unfortunately, even in this endeavor, there is a flaw in the beauty, in the punchline that was either intentionally or unintentionally overly comedic, but on the other hand, more surprising than anything. I wanted to give it five stars, I really did, but that will be seen after the second screening. So far, it is another perfect, unrivaled British comedy for me. (02/02/2014)