In a Shallow Grave (1988)

Director:

Kenneth Bowser

Writers:

Kenneth Bowser (writer)
James Purdy (novel)

Release Date:

6 July 1990 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

When a physically and emotionally scarred soldier returns home from World War II, he mistakenly trusts a mysterious young drifter to deliver a secret love letter to his old sweetheart. |

Plot Keywords:

Gay Interest | Based On Novel | Independent Film

Cast

Michael Beach	...	Quintus
Michael Biehn	...	Garnet Montrose
Patrick Dempsey	...	Daventry
Thomas Boyd Mason
Donna Lou Miller	...	Ann
Maureen Mueller	...	Georgina

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-14 | USA:R | Norway:15

Filming Locations:

Craig County, Virginia, USA

Company:

American Playhouse

Compelling Interaction on Socially Flawed Persons

MIcheal Beihn is Garnet Montrose, a wounded soldier who returns from the war, horribly scarred, he now feels he is too hideous for his beloved, Ann. The only one who will see him is Quintus, played by Micheal Beach, the black worker who minds him and runs errands for him. For the early part of the twentieth century, Garnet has taken a risk and taught Quintus how to read. Enter Daventry, played by Patrick Dempsey. An aimless, wandering soul, Daventry becomes the third player in the Garnet-Ann relationship. As he tells Garnet what to write to Ann, the passionate emotion he feels within his heart, it becomes clear Daventry has fallen for Garnet. Now Daventry must deliver messages to the woman Garnet loves. This was an incredible Cyrano DeBergerac reversed story that while not having scene stealing performances, due to its subtlety, it is a compelling saga to watch unfold. Further enhancing the forbidden love is Quintus, who while at times the very amusing comedy relief, his humor is very realistic, he also makes astonishing stabs at how it is to be black in the white society. Quintus stands at the amusing moments, such as the fall from the window and the storm destroying the furniture and not the house, but he is also at one of the most poignant times as well, such as when he tells Garnet that Daventry is in love with him. Garnet refuses to believe him at first. The ending climax is a bit unclear as to what exactly happened, but the rest of the story, including the finale makes up for it. There just seemed to be nowhere else for the story to go.