The Acid House (1998)

Director:

Paul McGuigan

Writers:

Irvine Welsh (screenplay)
Irvine Welsh (stories)

Release Date:

31 December 1998 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Insect | Pub | Lightning | God | Police

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:

I Still Miss You

Somewhat tedious

First and foremost, the director should have his license for musical interludes revoked. There are far too many of these in the film. A few such interludes are sometimes justified for setting mood, effectively "fast-forwarding" through events, or relieving the viewer after tense period. The many interludes in this do none of these things, with the music seemingly chosen at random. They give the impression that the director is compensating for a lack of ideas. Sitting undecided between drama and dark humour, it fails to convey either with much force. Still, it has its entertaining moments. Certainly could be a worse directorial debut. Still glad I caught it on TV since I've eyed it in the video store. (5/10)