This highly acclaimed and publicised film following the lives of a group of Scottish friends set in the seedy drug culture of heroin abuse is often debated. Before I saw this film I heard all the hype from both the camp that thinks it's a classic to those who think it irresponsible. Having seen the film a number of times I agree with the former group.
The fact I have seen it a number of times is not so much testament to it being an entertaining film, the usual prerequisite for seeing a film more than once, it is more that it is a film on so many levels that you notice a different aspect with each viewing whether that be the acting, direction, humour or the portrayal of the drug culture.
Accepted as a particularly difficult and controversial subject to bring to screen I certainly do not feel this film in any way glamourises drug taking. For many, the use of fantasy and symbolic scenes may be seen as disregarding the seriousness of the subject but I would argue on the contrary, it is a powerful tool to put the message across. There can be few more powerful scenes in cinema than the death of an addict's baby but when this occurrence is represented in the withdrawal trauma and hallucinations of the main character Renton (played by Ewan McGregor) it is beyond hard-hitting. The film contains many gritty scenes which some viewers will find highly disturbing but it would be impossible to bring this film to screen without them.
Ewan McGregor is superb in the lead role, indeed the entire cast are to be commended. I was especially impressed with Robert Carlyle, it was hard to imagine the actor many of us had come to know through the tame television programme Hamish McBeth could so convincingly play a violent madman! Indeed 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 there is a great deal of humour in the film, another aspect those critical of the film find hard to deal with. The truth of the matter is there is often humour in the darkest corners 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 of the story, involving reminiscence and flashback, is well crafted and easy to follow. It is explicit and controversial but I would highly recommend you see it.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2003 - Drama - Director: Michael Winterbottom - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Tim Robbins, Samantha Morton, Om Puri, Jeanne Balibar
I love this film but the baby freaks me out.
Love Rachael xxx
Clare_1 08.11.2001 13:48
Oh yes, one more thing - the book is SO much better!!! Clare
Clare_1 08.11.2001 13:46
I may be slightly biased about this film, seeing as it was set in my home city but I thought it was FAB!! Both Ewan's shone in their roles, as did Bobbie! it was good from beginning to end: Stomach churning but fantastic. Definitely gritty! Don't you just love the scene where they are in the club and the girls ask the boys and the boys ask the girls what each other has been talking about (both about sex) and the girls say"shoppin" in unison and the boys say "football" the same! Great op. Great film. Clare
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: £1.21 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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 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...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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
brianbarnes 06.07.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
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.
ikeaholic 11.07.2004 (11.07.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Trainspotting (DVD)
![Trainspotting [DVD] [1996]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78551594.jpg "Trainspotting [DVD] [1996]")
![Trainspotting [DVD] [1995]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/75200850.jpg "Trainspotting [DVD] [1995]")
![Trainspotting [DVD] [1996] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/116083763.jpg "Trainspotting [DVD] [1996] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]")
Nov 7th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
![Trainspotting [Special Edition]-DVD](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/103252867.jpg)
