Trainspotting (1996)

Trainspotting (1996)

1996 R 94 Minutes

Drama | Crime

Renton is living the dream and that dream is Heroin. As Renton struggles with the agony and ecstasy of his life we follow him and his increasingly unstable mates. Drinking, fighting, drugs, sex and...

Overall Rating

8 / 10
Verdict: Good

User Review

  • WHAT I LIKED: 'Trainspotting' really deserved to be the breakthrough that it was for Danny Boyle, as it takes the well-established style and black humour of his slightly hollow 'Shallow Grave' and puts it against a script with some grounding in harsher realities. Yes with Boyle's vision comes a chance to show off some dark laughs, terrifying truths and the fresh, sickly reality of everything that John Hodge and Irvine Welsh have got to offer in what is effectively an entirely fresh take on portraying real darkness. We see everything through the clouded, charmed eyes of our troubled lead, and this engages you in what otherwise may be difficult and crucially keeps you there through the bitter moments until the brilliant end. All of that is helped enormously by great character writing and performances from Ewan McGregor and his supporting cast members, as well as an awesome soundtrack that keeps the flow and gives it all a bit more room to breathe. The payoff in the end then is no longer an irritating and over the top mess; more so a well-executed and meaningful, if thankfully still unpredictable and enjoyable movie.
    WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: I have to admit that some of the humour makes me feel a little uncomfortable, but I suspect that's the idea.
    VERDICT: 'Trainspotting' takes Boyle's unique approach and applies it to something grounded, and that's what makes it such a huge success for this brilliant director.