Trainspotting | | Cast : | Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle | | Director : | Danny Boyle | | Studio : | Miramax Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color | | Released Date : | July 19, 1996 | | DVD Released Date : | June 01, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | A Strange Social Commentary For Everyone | Content
 | Being too young to have seen this when it first came out, I was able to watch it on a cable channel that did not feel the need to edit anything. Let me say this: Trainspotting is most definitely not for everyone. It's entertaining on a sick level, and, of course, Ewan McGreggor fans might be somewhat surprised at what the cheeky-grinned Scot is up to, but for those who can take it, Trainspotting is very, very good. The thick Scottish accents, and the British slang may have been thick to cut through a decade ago, but in our world of Harry Potter, Bridget Jones and Austin Powers, if you don't know what "football" "Jumper" and "wanker" mean, you've been hiding under a rock. The movie at its base is not about the herion addiction around which the story takes place, but about friendship, and more often than not, the lack thereof. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 06, 2005 | | Summary | Boyle's genius! Choose Trainspotting | Content
| With witty voice over narration, in a sometimes incomprehensible Scottish brogue, from Ewan Macgregor as the lead protagonist Trainspotting starts of with a delightful introduction to a motley crue of misfits. When we are introduced to these characters that make up his circle of friends, Tommy, Sick Boy, Begbie and Spud all the time moving to the sounds of Iggy Pop's catchy "Lust for life" we know we are in for a treat. The movie is a humorous, dark, cynical, satirical look at the life of a junkie and the effects of heroin on the lives of himself and his friends.
It also comes across as a social commentary piece, juxtaposing the mundane activites of everyday society with the fixed purpose of a "sincere and honest" drug habit. The movie in no way condones the use of drugs but does show the kinds of motivation that initiate it. It's very postmodern in that the movie critiques the "grandnarratives" of modern society and shows how empty and supeficial they are, even to the extent that a drug habit is more appealing than living exposed to modern-day plastic consumerism hyper reality. The superficiality of society and the norms are starkly contrasted with the real, physical, painful, purposeful life that governs and directs someone on smack!
Apart from the postmodern themes and ideas that the movie posits, at the end of the day it's just a great piece of extraordinary filmmaking with delighful exchanges, a wonderful soundtrack and a lot of jokes about Sean Connnery!
I don't want to spoil any more of the suprise so all I can do is suggest that you go out and buy this NOW! You won't regret it, however watch it with an "open-mind". |
| Rating | | | Date | June 21, 2005 | | Summary | An eye-opener of sorts.. | Content
| There's nothing in this movie that I correlate with my life. What I had heard about this film was quite different from what I saw in it. What I appreciated about Trainspotting is the truth with which most characters are portrayed.There's no exaggeration used.
This film is about a man who's deep into drugs and it's all his life revolves around.It's funny to see the kinds of things he does to get himself off the addiction but always faulters.Heroin is the major drug used in this movie.Exhuberance of youth is one thing that is displayed. I have seen Requiem For A Dream and I certainly don't dig it. Trainspotting isn't as depressive and dark as RFAD.It has it's own moments.The English accent used is quite amusing and difficult to follow but you get the hang of it.
I laughed out loud 4 times and cried 0 times.
Watch it. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 03, 2005 | | Summary | Choose Trainspotting | Content
| "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 !
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| Rating | | | Date | January 28, 2005 | | Summary | Gritty, realistic protrayal of junkies in a fun way. | Content
| One of Ewen MacGregors first big films, I find this one of the most realistic, gritty and at times, digusting films to come out in a long time.
Not for the faint hearted, there are some gross scenes in the movie- the public toilet scene for one.
A very dark movie, with the most accurate potrayal of junkies perhaps ever seen in a major movie, this movie is also sad, funny, and full of hope in some places, and the depths of woe in others.
You find yourself sympathasising with the main character, hoping he can overcome his addiction and move on to a better life.
Very hard genre to describe, except to say definitely black humour, with some drama, tension and action thrown in for good measure
Well worth a look!!
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