“Trainspotting”, a classic movie that spawned a classic soundtrack, hit the big screen in 1996 and is based on Irvine Welsh’s debut novel. Starring, among others, a pre-Jedi Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle, the film is mostly set in Edinburgh and London. The film is narrated by Mark Renton – known to some as Rent Boy and played by McGregor. It tells the story of our ‘hero’ and his friends : a group of junkies and / or criminals.

As the film opens, Renton is already a heroin addict – though, as it progresses, he tries several times to get off the drug. Most of his friends are also addicts – the most notable exception is Begbie, played by Carlyle. Franco (as he is occasionally known) is an ignorant, obnoxious, violent, hard-drinking bully, who likes nothing better than being at the center of a brawl. Sick Boy – played by Miller – is as much a rival to Renton as a friend. He is also something of an expert on Sean Connery, particularly in his 007 days. (Miller’s grandfather, funnily enough, played “M” in the Bond movies until 1979). For some reason, I found Spud (played by Ewen Bremmer) to be the most likeable character – or, at least, the one I had the most sympathy for…I’m not entirely sure why, when it was Tommy who had the worst luck of all. (Bremmer was also in the running for the part of Renton – he’d played that part on stage in Edinburgh and London). The gang’s dealer is known as Mother Superior – it’s not that he’s particularly religious, it’s more to do with the length of his habit.

The soundtrack is superb – New Order feature, while Primal Scream begged to be allowed to write a song after seeing a rough cut of the movie. I now find it hard not to think of the film’s opening scene when I hear Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”, while Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” inclusion is not entirely unexpected, but thoroughly welcome.

Anyone who tells you that “Trainspotting” glamorises drug-taking in general, and heroin use in particular, simply can’t have watched it. While there is a great deal of humor, many of the scenes and situations do not present addiction as an appealing option. Renton and his friends see a great deal of action : constipation when hooked, impressive bouts of diarrhoea when coming off the drug, the risk of catching HIV / AIDS, the sickness brought on by going cold turkey and the potentially fatal effects of too big a hit. As a result, it’s not for the easily offended or the squeamish – while it’s one of my favorite movies, I wouldn’t recommend watching it with your grandparents !

Was disappointing. But still fun in the scatty Welsh way.

This is a rather brilliant film. The subject matter is dark, but the delivery is engaging, even comedic at times. I wouldn’t say it’s a laugh riot, but any movie about death, herion, and betrayal that can be viewed without a sense of utter doom is impressive. The tone makes the message much easier to swallow, understand, and appreciate.

I agree with Alanna. This movie is pretty dark, but really is eye openning. The classic part with the baby crawling on the ceiling has been parodied a bit too.

This movie seriously messed with me. This should be shown to High School students for drug awareness. I don’t think I could watch it again, but I’ll rate it as “worth watching” simply as an eye opener.