"I wanted to avoid doing the Monty Python chartered accountant," he says of his character in "'Shallow Grave.'" "Every time Alex speaks to David, he aputs him down, which suggests that Alex fears him or is unsettled by him. The thing about David is that, in a strange way, he finds a power, a self which was lacking, through doing this horrific thing. He's pushed and pushed into dismembering that corpse, but once he does it, he's achieved something. This square, quiet, put-upon guy has done something that these other two - who have the pretense of being dangerous - could never have done. He surprises himself and the other two by making a stand."

1. What do you think Christopher means by :
   • "he’s achieved something" ?
   • "avoid the Monty Python chartered accountant"
2. Find another way of saying the underlined words

• Answer the following questions :
  1. What does David think about the robbery downstairs ?
  2. Why has he lost his appetite ?
  3. How has David’s behaviour changed?
  4. What does David do to the money in the loft?
  5. Where does David put the money?
  6. What differences of opinion are there between the three of them about the money ?
  7. Why does alex go to see Juliet at the hospital ? What does he have in mind ?
  8. What excuse does David give to his office to explain his non-appearance ?
• Explain the meaning of the following phrases in the context of the scene :
  1. weight off your shoulder
  2. what use is it ?
  3. if you can’t have it

After Watching: