The Acid House (1998)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Paul McGuigan

Writers:

Irvine Welsh (screenplay)
Irvine Welsh (stories)

Release Date:

31 December 1998 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

Three twisted tales of abuse, drugs, displaced personalities and insect life by Scottish writer Irving Welsh.

Plot Keywords:

Pub | Anal Sex | Sadomasochism | Harlot | Adultery

Awards:

5 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Stephen McCole	...	Boab (The Granton Star Case)
Maurice Roëves	...	God (The Granton Star Case) / Drunk (A Soft Touch) / Priest (The Acid House)
Garry Sweeney	...	Kev (The Granton Star Case)
Jenny McCrindle	...	Evelyn (The Granton Star Case)
Simon Weir	...	Tambo (The Granton Star Case)
Iain Andrew	...	Grant (The Granton Star Case)
Irvine Welsh	...	Parkie (The Granton Star Case)
Pat Stanton	...	Barman (The Granton Star Case)
Alex Howden	...	Boab Snr (The Granton Star Case)
Annie Louise Ross	...	Doreen (The Granton Star Case) (as Ann Louise Ross)
Dennis O'Connor	...	PC Cochrane (The Granton Star Case)
John Gardner	...	Sgt. Morrison (The Granton Star Case)
William Blair	...	Workmate ("The Granton Star Case") / Deck ("A Soft Touch")
Gary McCormack	...	Workmate (The Granton Star Case) / Larry (A Soft Touch)
Malcolm Shields	...	Workmate (The Granton Star Case)

Also Known As:

The Granton Star Cause (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Spain:18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Chile:18 | France:-12 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | South Korea:18 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company:

Picture Palace North

Trivia:

The film was deemed deeply offensive by the UK tabloid press for its inclusion of a swearing, foul-mouthed God.

Quotes:

Sgt. Morrison: So, what's been happening tonight, Brian?
PC Cochrane: Well, there's the rapist. The guy that stabbed the boy in the shopping centre. And this comedian down here.
Sgt. Morrison: Well, I've had a wee word with our rapist. Seems a nice enough young fellow. Tells us the whore was askin' for it. It's the way of the world, Brian. As for the guy that stabbed the boy - well, silly wee bugger, but... boys will be boys. What's the story with this tube-stake?
PC Cochrane: Caught him smashing up a telephone box.
Sgt. Morrison: [disgusted] Tsk tsk.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The South Bank Show: Irvine Welsh (#30.4)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Precious Maybe

Great direction is the secret of this film's success

Be prepared for something different.

Three short stories provide a triple dose of mayhem. I've never experienced anything quite like this. Expletives abound in every sentence. Fast-paced dialogue is sub-titled. It's just as well and so necessary with the strong Scottish accent.

Story 1 is a tale about revenge. When all seems lost, God makes it possible for Boab Coyle to avenge himself on numerous people who have been more than unkind to him. It's strong stuff and at times you may wish to vomit at what you see. Ugh! Story2 is about Johnny and Catriona and the new baby. Larry, a most despicable neighbour who lives in the upstairs apartment has eyes for Catriona who enjoys what seems like non-stop sex with this lascivious creature, while Johnny is literally left holding the baby together with all the household chores. There are some very funny scenes including an ingenious answer to a lack of electric power and a stupid argument about the colour cerise.

Story 3 is more of a character study of a young man called Coco suffering from a drug over-dose. There is ample opportunity to use special effects such as distorted images. Another story of a couple rushing to hospital for the birth of their baby is cleverly intertwined with sound effects of shouting and screaming common to both. As for the precocious baby, I found it rather weird and unsettling and one that only a mother could love.

Don't be put off by the dirty talk and blasphemous conversation. The characters seem so real to me. Their lives are a sad reflection of a miserable existence of the lower classes sweetened by only one thing......the love of football.