Advantages: Sublime and raw, a potently must-see eye-opener for the public. Disadvantages: Blotches of the disgusting capability of human anatomy - lots of faeces and the likes.
...backdrop of 80’s clash Edinburgh, Trainspotting is a tale of five anti-heroes who take addiction to one more level of raw anticipation. Drawing the world through in an eye, the viewer can see the true selves of drugs and that of drug-users, following the daily grind and suffering of Edinburgh’s junkies, these friends visit “Mother Superior” for a lunch of heroin whenever they can afford it. Stealing, scamming, and cheating, the group of friends make ... ...deaths produced by heroin. Trainspotting provides a platform for junkies to watch, learn and practice their lives, hopefully to a better path, but as a whole is a rapid and strong message to addiction. The bleak and pitiful depiction of life running up towards a group of smack heads proves to be more than just a contemporary classic, with its tragically, and stunning art forms of cinematography, performances combined with soundtrack, in a large mish-mash ...
ikeaholic 11.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: The acting, the story, the rawness of the portrayal of drugs abuse Disadvantages: Not exactly family entertainment
...I squealed with delight when Trainspotting was produced - I loved that film when I first saw it about five years ago and I knew I'd love it again. I already knew what my next op was going to be about.
The opening of the film is brilliant - possibly one of the best opening sequences ever in film history. Hmmm, well, maybe.
It has Ewan McGreggor running to the juddering sounds of Iggy Pop, saying, 'Choose a life. Choose a job. Choose a family...' ... ...cinematography and especially the acting.
Trainspotting still remains the most notable credit on Danny Boyle's CV, and unsurprisingly. Shallow Grave and 28 Days Later are good, maybe even great, and The Beach is interesting enough, but Trainspotting would be very hard to beat. Especially since he handles it with such original flair; the camera jumping about with style and inventiveness - most notably in the clubbing scenes and the aforementioned ...
franproc 04.10.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: See opinion Disadvantages: See opinion
...capital city.
~ ~ Trainspotting focuses mainly on the closed culture of the druggies, and on their off-beat and somewhat twisted humour.
Much of their effort goes into avoiding the awful possibility of gaining useful employment, as they are occasionally sent for interviews by the local employment exchange.
They accomplish this objective by being as repugnant and repulsive as is humanly possible, so that no one would even remotely think of hiring ... ...combination of taxpayer’s money (the dole) and thieving from shops, cars and people. ~ ~ So is there anything about this film that I liked? One scene I must own up to enjoying thoroughly takes place in an Edinburgh bar.
Mark and his crew are in having a bevvy (partaking of alcohol) when the local hard man Begbie, played to total perfection by the great and extremely versatile Scottish actor Robert Carlyle, (The Full Monty, Hamish McBeth) throws ...
the_mad_cabbie 10.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: Soundtrack, innovative Disadvantages: Explicit and disturbing in places
...much of the strength of Trainspotting is down to the strong cast of actors it boasts.
It is difficult to watch the film and not become emotionally involved though strangely I found it was not so much the lead character of Renton who's life drew me in but rather the lives of those around him namely Spud, a fellow addict and Tommy who's story of being the 'clean' friend spiraling into the drug world is harrowing. Considering the hard hitting subject ... ...of life. The humour in Trainspotting is well placed and at times stomach churning. Without spoiling the scene for those who have yet to see the film - don't eat when Spud is taken home by a girl and passes out on her bed! It is an intense film, yes it has scenes of gritty reality and the squalor that so often surrounds drugs. What it isn't is glossy - in fact even the visuals feel and look matt in texture. The direction is excellent and the flow ...
BizzyBek 07.11.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: Very amusing Disadvantages: If you dont like swearing you will be offended
Oh look!!! Someones decided to write an opinion on an old film, not about "The Mummy 2" or one of the other latest releases, why bother you might think.
Well, just looking at my collection of video's there is always one that stands out a mile.
It has an orange spine and the words "Trainspotting" emblazened upon it.
I first saw this film at a cinema in 1996 when it was released and immeadeatley became a big fan of Irvine Welsh (the author of the ... ...basically follows the life of a heroin addict (Mark Renton , played by Ewan McGregor) living in Edinburgh and his friends who are a collection of losers, liars, psycos thieves and other junkies.
The main characters in this film are ;
Begbie - This man thrives on violence and cant seem to complete a sentance without the use of some very strong and sometimes very funny comments.He very much plays the hardman who will just about kill anyone that he ...
Martin.rowley 23.05.2001 (24.05.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: Uniformly excellent performances, great soundtrack. Disadvantages: Not as great as we all thought it was.
When Trainspotting was first released five years ago, it was hailed as the film that resurrected the British film Industry. Before that, it was Shallow Grave, and before that, Four Weddings and a Funeral. One of these crops up every few years, makes a big splash, causes a spate of inferior copies and cash-ins, then bobs back under.
In hindsight, Trainspotting is far weaker than Boyle's debut, Shallow Grave. Due to the episodic nature of Irvine Welsh's ... ...end...curiously, the attempt to add some kind of plot with the boy's drug deal actually weakens the movie.
As it is, Renton (McGregor) and his friends live a life of squalor in Edinburgh's run down council estates. All they care about is the next hit, begging, stealing and borrowing to gather the capital needed. The episodes veer between hilarious, disgusting, tragic, and just boring.
This film made Ewan McGregor and others stars, and deservedly ...
Plissken 06.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
...a fanatic, I have seen Trainspotting about 6 times. Ok so it's not a huge number but every time I go through the same range of emotions at exactly the same time. I know what's coming but STILL get involved in a way that's entirely unhealthy. Drug addict Mark Renton lives out his terrible existence in the ghetto's of Edinburgh with his collection of 'friends'. All feeding off each other and 'enjoying' the drug induced haze that gets them through the ... ...From the very moment Trainspotting starts, you get the feeling that this is going to be something different and you won't be disappointed. The opening narrative sets up the choice facing every drug addict - life or death? Do you choose 'life' with it's cars, jobs, and dishwashers or do you choose the path that follows the heroin addict (with all it's inherant dangers)? Trainspotting is in no way a subtle film but in no way does it shock needlessly. ...
TheNeil 22.10.2001 (23.10.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: Simply and excellently crafted movie that will make you both laugh and cry Disadvantages: Strong language, some sex, occasional brutal violence, scenes of drug taking may offend some people
...somewhat easy to put a Trainspotting virgin off of this film. For a start, the title is incidental to the story and not directly relevant. This film is not about trains. The film is centred on the very real drug culture in Scotland, but isn’t stereotypically Scottish. Nor does it condone nor condemn drug taking. Heroine exists in this film, like it exists in real life. We may not like it, but it’s there. The film is clearly a drama, and ... ...too (first or second hand). Trainspotting takes you into these peoples lives and lets you experience both the joy of the rush, and the pain of when everything crashes around them.
Tucked away inside Trainspotting are moments of laughter, of sorrow, of surprise and of shame. And these are the emotions you will feel. There is one very moving moment when even the hardest nut will crack.
Naturally, if this were just a story about urban drug taking ...
brianbarnes 06.07.2001
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...through to its violent conclusion, Trainspotting is an absolutely superb mixture of adrenaline fuelled, drug abused lunacy. Its an explosion of talent, packed into a sweet 90 minutes and arguably the movie which single-handedly relaunched the British film industry...if it ever needed it. Directed to perfection by Danny Boyle, alongside John Hodge's acid script and adapted from Irvine Welsh's best-seller(which I thought stank), Transporting is like ... ...the best movie characters seen for decades - if ever, in depicting a group of four friends who would just as likely screw each other over at the first opportunity than help. Ewan Mcgregor is fantastic as the Drug obsessed Renton, this his only decent performance since Shallow Grave, outdone only by Robert Carlyle as the Pub-psychopath Begbie. This movie delves deeply into uncharted waters. The unsanitised effects of drug abuse, squalor and decay, ...
wampyrii 14.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: great script, very funny Disadvantages: I'll never look at a Scottish toilet in the same way again
Trainspotting is another landmark film, one of the truly great 'great' British films of the nineties. Where 'Brassed off' and 'The full monty' were hyped-up so much so that they ultimately disappointed, this film is worth all the plaudits. Ok, so it is grim, and it centres on a bunch of junkies, but contrary to what some critics have said, it does not advertise heroin as such, rather that there can always be light at the end of the tunnel, no matter ...
northers 13.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: The True to life account of heroin Disadvantages: The True to life account of heroin
Trainspotting again is one of those must see films a true British social realism film that you just cant live life without seeing. Like most British films Train spotting tells it how it is the film tells you the bad and good sides of everything to do with live the heroin addict life. Trainspotting is not just about drug addiction, but about the connection between wasted youth and the spiritually bankrupt society that has abandoned them.Why is this ... ...The soundtrack to trainspotting is awesome here are a few classic songs that are used in the film "Choose Life" - PF Project this is part of the famous dialog that Renton says at the beginning here is a few others "Sing" - Blur "Perfect Day" - Lou Reed and "A Final Hit" - Leftfield. ...
jamiemazza 16.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: Well ,it was certainly a new 1 for me anyway. Disadvantages: Didn't like the cot death scene.
This was a phrase that was used by one of Mark Renton's (Ewan McGregor) friends when he first began on his experimentations and eventual descent into addiction with heroin.
I had this image that "Trainspotting" was a weird film and when one of the scenes named, "the worst toilet in Scotland" involves Mark diving the whole way into the toilet and swimming to the bottom to find two repositories, I realised I was not far wrong.
As a daughter of an ... ...something I have grown up with. Even while working in the nightclub or even in the bar wich I am at now in a rough side of town and going out with a lad renowned for shady deals, heroin is something of which I have no clue therefore when watching the film, you must understand I took everything at face value. From the way in which he cheated during his methadone progamme leading to an eventual overdose, to the way Tommy, (friend) lost his girlfriend ...
naseire 12.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: Great Story, Superb Acting and Cast Disadvantages: Not For An Action Fan!
The whole premise of the film is "Choose life" or "Self destruction". The film based in Scotland, mostly revolves around, Mark Renton a man who struggles to find his niche in life and instead finds his escapism in heroin. Then you have his equally unbalanced friends Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie, his only 'normal' friend Tommy and his on off relationship with a schoolgirl, Diane. This character base blends well with the overall story, which basically ... ...story is perhaps, in my opinion one of the best written in a film, as I can relate to some if not a lot of it, as I am sure a lot of people can. I mean don't get me wrong this film isn't just about a junkie, it's more deeper into his struggles with life, the drugs are merely one of the 'comforts' he finds to make his life bearable. The script, as well as being very realistic is dark, funny, surreal and even harrowing in places. Perhaps my only criticism ...
Sid76 13.02.2001 (03.03.2001)
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I really have no complaints about this film. It stars several unknown British actors, who all talk cool, and tells a story of a few guys trying, not very hard, to quit heroine. Though sometimes hard to understand, the dialogue is generally good, and it is followed by very good acting. The thing I best liked about this movie were some of the great camera techniques used during the heroine and the withdrawal scenes. There is one part in particular ... ...quite frankly, was scared of some of the things onscreen. Dead babies on ceilings, guys in chains....eerie stuff. Things to watch for: Excessive male full frontal nudity, a guy digging around, then swimming in "the worst toilet in scotland", and this crazy old guy who gets in fights. I would see this movie if I were you, it was well worth the seven bucks. ...
Andy 23.09.2000
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Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
Advantages: Superb, funny, serious, makes you think Disadvantages: None
In my list of films, this is joint top with the Italian Job (readers gasp with amazement).
No, it's not about Trains, it's about life with drugs and what they do to you. Does this sound boring? well it's not. Go out and rent it or buy it now.
The best scene has to be Spud in the morning at his girlfriends house (watch it and you'l see what I mean).
This film changed my perspective on other movies. I now have a new standard, which so far, no other ...
Strak 12.07.2000
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Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
The film that effectively launched the star careers of Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor and ... more
Jonny Lee Miller is a hard, barbed picaresque, culled from the bestseller by Irvine Welsh and thrown down against the heroin hinterlands of Edinburgh. Directed wit...
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The film that effectively launched the star careers of Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor and ... more
Jonny Lee Miller is a hard, barbed picaresque, culled from the bestseller by Irvine Welsh and thrown down against the heroin hinterlands of Edinburgh. Directed wit...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The film that effectively launched the star careers of Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor and ... more
Jonny Lee Miller is a hard, barbed picaresque, culled from the bestseller by Irvine Welsh and thrown down against the heroin hinterlands of Edinburgh. Directed wit...
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The film that effectively launched the star careers of Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor and ... more
Jonny Lee Miller is a hard, barbed picaresque, culled from the bestseller by Irvine Welsh and thrown down against the heroin hinterlands of Edinburgh. Directed wit...
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Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family... This is the story of Mark ... more
Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his so-called friends - a bunch of losers liars psychos thieves and junkies. Hilarious but harrowing the film charts the disintegra...
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