Film Review: Filth (18), (U.K. 2013) (Director: John S. Baird), Saturday 28.09.2013 18:10, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

As with any visual work based upon writings of Irvine Welsh, they will always be compared to the adaptation of 'Trainspotting' (1996). I first saw Trainspotting on the night of it's world premiere at a midnight screening at the same cinema. From the screening that night you could tell that it was an important film with a zeitgeist quality about it. It may have been set in the '80's, though the 'choose life' sentiment was very apt at a time when brit-pop and new labour were on the rise.    

Filth does not have this good fortune of cultural relevance, though I still found it to be a very enjoyable and funny film. James McAvoy portrays the central character well, without any cheep shots for sympathy and has no problem carrying the film. Though I have to say I was even more impressed by Eddie Marsan, who portrays James's best friend with such skill that he can appear pathetic yet completely unsympathetic and very funny in a bumbling way. 

There is no question that this far outstrips 'The Acid House' (1998) and 'Irvine Welsh's Ecstasy' (2011) in terms of Irvine Welsh adaptations for the screen, and as enjoyable as it is, it does not have vitality and is not a classic. Though it is a jolly good laugh.

Rating: 08/10.