Confused and generic, Grim deserves props for being produced
in 1995, the absolute doldrums of British genre cinema. PeakViewing
Transatlantic, a Cheltenham-based, sibling-run construction firm turned
production company, was a big fish in this small pond from the mid-nineties to
the mid-naughties. Investigating subsidence under an allegedly American but
obviously British housing estate, seven people explore a cavern/mine network
where they discover a troll-like monster halfway between Rawhead Rex and Trog.
Despite its animalistic appearance, ‘Grim’ wears (ragged) clothes and dextrously
uses implements including chains and a meat cleaver. Also, it can magically
walk through solid rock. There are no discernable characters, no explanation/motivation
for anything and the ending is inexplicable. Every so often, the cast remember
they’re meant to be American. Unlike The Descent, this was shot in real caves,
with DP Alan M Trow (who also shot The Comic!) making a good job of the 16mm
photography. Creature suit by Neill Gorton, whose name is spelled wrong in the
titles. The feature debut of tragic starlet Kadamba Simmons.
No comments:
Post a Comment