Screening Report on Filth

Filth is a 2013 film directed by the Scottish Jon S. Braid and was based on a popular Irvine Welsh novel. Even though the poster, the trailer and the first couple of scenes might suggest that we are in line for one and a half hour of comedy, the truth is, in fact, that it is a moderately though piece of cinema with black humour, crime and dramatic elements.

The main character on whom the whole film concentrates on is Bruce Robertson who is a rather corrupt and drug-addict cop from Edinburgh trying to gain promotion by all means. In order to achieve his plan he is willing to lie, cheat, steal and manipulate his colleagues. These scenes, at first glance, are quite funny but as the story goes on we become aware of Bruce’s inner struggles and of how much he is incapable to cope with the loss of his family, the addiction and last but not least, with himself.

The narrative structure is non-linear and it could almost be regarded as circular since the beginning and the first part of the ending are the same but the twisted final scene breaks the cyclical nature of the film. The frequent use of point of view and close-up shots from low or eye-level angles is one of the movie’s characteristics and it is an effective way to lay emphasis on the dramatic, dominant or ominous characters, thus conveying their emotions through the screen.

                The most significant element of the film is the nature of the protagonist. Regarding the people surrounding him, such as his colleagues or so-called friends, he appears as a quite trustworthy and generous man who is always ready to help. Bruce’s point of view, and also the audience’s since we get to know his story by his own narration, is completely divergent. As a first-person narrator the story is delivered directly by him, though often unreliably, and due to the use of asides, when he stares into the camera and speaks directly to the audience, the effect is more persuasive. He sacrifices and risks everything just to get something that he has already lost. The major difficulties and conflicts are brought to the surface by Bruce himself so we can also say that he is not only the protagonist of the film, but also the antagonist or villain. The twisted situation, his dream-like visions and disorder makes him descend into insanity and also causes his death. Consequently, this two-sidedness has a great impact on the audience as well since the film evokes ambivalent emotions: we find him piteous and miserable as well as a lonely and sick person who needs help.

                Jon S. Braid’s Filth is a movie that undoubtedly lives up to its title. By demonstrates the depths of human depravity and wickedness it establishes the mere duplicity of humanity. The film starring James McAvoy is a catchy one if one is wishing to see something ambiguous and tangled or simply something extraordinary.