In a Shallow Grave
Garnet Montrose (Michael Beihn) returns home to West Virginia after suffering horrible facial disfigurement from wounds at the battle of Guadalcanal. He watches his former sweetheart Georgia (Maureen Mueller) from his farm down the road. Garnett is obviously socially withdrawn because of his injuries, and he soon enlists the help of itinerant young farmhand Potter Daventry (Patrick Dempsey) to deliver notes to Georgia. Garnet begins to open up to Potter before he suspects him of delivering more than letters. Potter quickly becomes a major focus in both Garnet and Georgia's lives in this drama taken from the novel by James Purdy.
Insights
Plot Summary
Vietnam War veteran Leon is disfigured during the conflict and returns home to face a world that views him with horror and pity. Struggling with PTSD and his new reality, he grapples with his identity and attempts to reconnect with his former life, but finds that his experiences have irrevocably changed him and his relationships.
Critical Reception
While 'In a Shallow Grave' explored the difficult themes of war trauma and societal reaction to disability, it received a largely muted critical response. The film was noted for its ambition in tackling sensitive subjects but often criticized for its uneven pacing and occasionally heavy-handed approach.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its intense lead performance.
- Criticized for its bleak tone and graphic depiction of trauma.
- Noted for its unconventional narrative structure.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'In a Shallow Grave' is not widely documented.
Fun Fact
The film was released in very limited distribution and remains a relatively obscure title in the late 1980s cinema landscape.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources