Genre Presented in Shallow Grave

In the film “Shallow Grave” directed by Danny Boyle several techniques including visual and verbal were used to show the genres and film styles of gothic and film noir as well as exploring ideas of true friendship when it comes to the choice of friends or money.

The gothic style consists typically of a castle, beast and a mystery. The film opens with the tipsy turvy image of David saying “If you can’t trust your friends, what then?” right at the beginning of the film the audience gets hints that something is wrong. The camera then fast zooms to an apartment which is the castle the three protagonists Juliet, Alex and David live. There is also an establishing shot showing the big grey bricks which appear like a castle. In terms of sound techniques showing this when prospective flatmate Cameron closes the door it makes a cavernous boom, similar to the noise of a castle dungeon door closing. The trio interview prospective flatmates with questions such as “how would you react if I told you I was the antichrist.” And “how do you decide which shade of black to wear every morning.” It’s clear that the three have no intention of flatting with these candidates as they just “don’t fit the bill.” The three main characters seem to be a tight knit, invincible trio, who are a bunch of likeable almost respectable group. Which all changes when they find a mysterious dead man and a suitcase full of money lying in their apartment. These techniques are very typical of a gothic styled film and helped me understand friendship better.

The genre film noir is very similar to the gothic style in some aspects, one being a sense of dark mystery. The title “Shallow Grave” is definitely film noir with its dark meaning of hidden vices just below the surface. The questions they ask also gives the audience a glimpse of their personality. David asks “Do you freebase” and other technical questions which suggest that he is into the more technical and inhuman aspect of things. Alex asks a