Don't listen to the negative reviews

disgusting, overrated, pointless

Best movie of this year hands down!

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

The first few minutes were shown and I slowly sinked into my seat thinking "...this is going to be one of those films isn't it?". Yet despite the obscene use of sex, drugs and alcohol there is actually a sympathetic undertone. A detective sergeant increasingly experiences hallucinations whilst investigating the murder of a Japanese student, in doing so he is aiming for a promotion to detective inspector. An adaptation of a novel written by Irvine Welsh can only mean two things: It involves drugs and is set in Scotland. Whilst this does not have the same controversial aftershock that 'Trainspotting' made back in 96', it's still unpleasantly warped and enthusiastic in the demented characters it creates. Yes, our "protagonist" is a bully and can only be summed up as the worst detective in all of Scotland, but there is a saddening reason for his inhumane behaviour. A reason that surprisingly compelled me and made the entire third act extremely interesting and enthralling. The tonal shift from what seemed to be pointless ribaldry to then become a character study felt seamless to which I have to give credit to director Baird. James McAvoy possibly gives the best performance of his career and Eddie Marsan is always captivating. Him dancing to Darude's Sandstorm whilst being completely off his face was a beauty to behold. Would've liked to have seen more from Jamie Bell and Imogen Poots who only got to shine rarely during the runtime, but this is purely focussed on McAvoy to which he dominates the screen. The screenplay needed some finesse, just to add the needed additional characterisation and memorability that the film ultimately required. It could've been both crude and intelligently written. The narrative is rather messy during the first two acts, jumping from scene to scene like an Olympic athlete on Speed. It is jarring and will take time to adjust, however this is a brilliantly acted crime comedy that lavishes in its own vulgarity. Not many films live up to their title, but Filth does!

I came late to this and saw it when it was on Film 4. I was recently amazed by James McAvoy's performance in 'Split' and already adored him as a young Professor X.Seriously, if you haven't seen 'Split', you really should.'Filth' is not for the faint hearted, and is prime fodder for 'Outraged of Halifax' in the Daily Mail comments section.It's a fun ride, like a manic episode can be (I have bipolar and some things felt far too familiar) but then things become tragic, as the depressive phase tends to be. I'm still a little bit miffed about the slightly OTT portrayal of bipolar disorder - it's not a totally accurate account of the illness (hence 9 stars, not 10) - but it's nice to see someone at least try to explore it.The denouement had me sobbing like a 'little bitch with a skinned knee', to quote Jay from 'Dogma' (also a wonderful film you should watch immediately) and the very end was when I really started blubbing.As a Scot and a bipolar type 1, this felt a little too close to home and that's why I adore it. I'm going to be re-watching this as much as I re watch 'Evil Dead 2' and 'Titanic' - yes, I love 'Titanic'. What of it?

James McAvoy is awesome and is reason enough alone to watch this. Even when you don't understand what the characters are saying, McAvoy makes you not care. Joanne Froggatt and the rest of the cast are great, but really its James's movie. What an actor.You never really know what to expect with this movie, predictable it is not. It's the most deranged comedy I ever watched. Taking the bad-cop genre to the extreme, Filth lives up to its title and then some. For the first half-hour it's got a full-on energy followed by a complex plot. An alcoholic cop is having animal-themed hallucinations. The further the character goes to get his promotion the crazier things get on screen. Do not let the uptight middle of the road critics reviews fool you. While it isn't a movie you'll call your favorite, it's a wild ride and one I recommend taking. if you can stomach it.

A man's descent into a drink and drug induced madness and paranoia. Not comfortable viewing and surreal at times. Ironically, the outtakes are some of the scenes that really ought to have been left in, because they are the most touching. A decent adaptation of a truly great book, but as with any adaptation of one of Welsh's novels, it has it's limitations. Each character is played convincingly, a little too convincingly sometimes, but it all comes to bear. The question remains: can a police officer, who is so ravaged by the constant hangovers and come-downs of booze and pills, really find it within himself to apprehend the murderer of a foreign student when the world around him - both physically and mentally - is falling apart?