MovieChat Forums > Young Adam (2003) Discussion > Films set in Scotland always miserable?

Films set in Scotland always miserable?

posted 14 years ago by alconway
10 replies | jump to latest

Why is every film set in Scotland in recent times miserable?
Other than Greyfrars Bobby and Loch Ness every one makes it look so glum - I blame arty types and government funding bodies - anyone?

[–] Black_Ruby 14 years ago

I just moved to Scotland, and even though I love it here, I must admit that the locals do look very glum majority of the time. I think it might be the weather, its always so cold

[–] Corner_House_guest 14 years ago

Whiskey Galore was the last non grim film set in Scotland, that was back in 1949.

[–] willjohn 8 years ago

Many years ago Glasgow Rangers lost a European Cup tie in Spain to a German team.

The aftermath was drunken Scots protestants walking through the nearest shopping centre picking up Volkswagens and throwing them through shop windows. The only thing that saved the Mercedes Benz cars was their sheer size.

A Scots journalist put it down to John Knox and bad sex.

[–] gregorik 14 years ago

Arthouse films tend to have a grim vibe as they prefer rawness and realistic grit.
I've noticed the same thing with a lot of Hungarian films, although Hungarians are not glum people at all.

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"Don't just DO something, STAND there!"
Pastor Charlie Bing

[–] willjohn 14 years ago

Years ago I read where somebody said that the violence associated with Scottish football supporters was the result of bad sex and Presbyterianism.

Could that also cause them to be glum?

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] PimpinAinttEasy 11 years ago

TRAINSPOTTING want grim. it was exhilarating and life affirming.

Oh my! What a darling photo!

[–] ManFromSanFernando 9 years ago

LOL this is absolutely true

[–] mcmullanbrush 9 years ago

Local Hero is certainly not grim

[–] chicago85 9 years ago

Bill Forsyth made funny movies set in Scotland which you can probably get through Netflix. They were Local Hero, Comfort and Joy (about two Italian families that sell ice cream from trucks and get into competitive fight. and Gregory's Girl. The last one is about a teenager totally inept at meeting girls and has to be helped by his younger sister on how to act.

I don't know everything. Neither does anyone else