Directed by:
Danny BoyleScreenplay:
John HodgeCinematography:
Brian TufanoCast:
Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, Kelly Macdonald, Peter Mullan, James Cosmo, Eileen Nicholas, Susan Vidler (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Smart, funny, sickly and sometimes just plain unconscious, Mark Renton is a hero of our times. Set in an underbelly of Edinburgh the city fathers never dreamed of, this is the story of Mark and his so-called friends--a bunch of losers, liars, psychos, thieves and junkies. This tragi-comedy charts the disintegration of their friendship as they proceed, seemingly inevitably, towards self-destruction. Mark alone has the insight and opportunity to escape his fate--but does he really want to "choose life"? On and off heroin, he continually weighs the pros and cons of straight living: "car, career, family, fucking big television, washing machines, compact disc players, electrical tin openers, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, starter home, leisurewear, and a choice of sweaters..." When he breaks it all down, choosing life doesn't seem all that promising and he's off to the next scheme and score. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (9)
A film I was a bit scared of before, simply because it is about drugs. Now I wasn't afraid anymore and I watched the film, curious to see what I would get. It is definitely a spectacle that is not easily forgotten and it is definitely not a film that glorifies drugs. But everyone can take what they will from it. An interesting story, great direction, excellent acting performances, and a great soundtrack.
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Can a film that is repulsive also be beautiful? Trainspotting tells the story of human scum in such a humorous and unusual way that we end up feeling comfortable with the characters and able to tune into their addictive wave to some extent. The distinctive visuals have the most momentum and verve in the first half hour, and by the end Boyle starts to repeat himself, but the music is so perfect, the characters so original, and the scenes so iconic and entertaining (not only in execution, but also in content) that it can be watched over and over again. And Ewan McGregor is the best junkie in history.
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So, let’s go over this again: Drugs are great, aren’t they... Danny Boyle is an excellent director, isn’t he... Ewan McGregor has now left the category of hopeful young actor and definitely moved into the category of “Mr Actor", hasn’t he... The Scots are cool, aren’t they... Born Slippy, isn’t it... Trainspotting is a cult movie. Is that clear? YES! ♫ OST score: 4/5
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I was quite curious about the resulting comparison with Aronofsky's brilliant Requiem for a Dream. Trainspotting is actually quite funny in places; on the other hand, the comedic element is counterbalanced by some really quite harsh moments. It's probably an undeniable truth that Boyle's work is more valuable in terms of "existential depth" and has a more elaborate script, but it's equally undeniable that Aronofsky is clearly the leader in terms of visuals. Even though I consider Trainspotting Boyle's best film (the hell with Slumdog Millionaire), I can't help feeling that Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream affected me many times more... UPDATE 02 Jun 2018 – Seen again after years, for the first time in proper quality on Blu-ray, and I must gladly add that fifth star. Trainspotting is a cult movie like crazy that Danny Boyle directed the hell out of. I love how it's just so funny to the point where I had to laugh out loud (the scene at breakfast with the tug-of-war over the sheets) and at the same time manages to evoke very uncomfortable feelings (the baby in the crib). And probably the vast majority will disagree with me, but I consider Trainspotting more of a comedy. A satirical, bitter, and veeeeery harsh comedy :)
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Three... And if it weren't for Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle, I'd take one more star off. I put off Trainspotting for a long time and I probably knew why. I've hadn’t seen it up to now and I haven't missed anything extravagant. I can listen to the soundtrack (or rather the few tolerable songs) on its own, and the story about a bunch of junkies, whose stories and catchphrases seem funny and wacky to many of my friends (similarly to the Czech Loners), but to me they just seem stupid. Shallow Grave goes unsurpassed.
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