Trainspotting - Review

“Choose Life” – A review of Trainspotting. 

Released in 1996 and based on Irvine Welsh’s novel, Trainspotting is a relentless and sometimes disturbing exploration of isolation, violence, addiction and the search for meaning in a world many just want an escape from. Dark, funny, moving and shamelessly honest, this may not be the easiest watch, but the brutal look at drug addiction is still iconic.

Trainspotting follows Mark Renton, played by Ewan McGregor, who is a young man in the grip of heroin addiction in Edinburgh. Together with his friends, Sick Boy, played by Jonny Lee Miller, Spud, played by Ewen Bremner, Begbie, played by Robert Carlyle and Tommy, played by Kevin McKidd, this is a story of a group of men who are lost and forgotten in society. You follow their highs and lows, their mistakes and the consequences they face, in an unflinching social commentary of poverty and rebellion.

The start of the film is iconic in its own right. Renton’s “Choose Life” monologue does a brilliant job at setting the tone of the rest of the film. Witty and satirical, the monologue mocks the idea that happiness can be bought, that the meaning of life is to own as much as you can, and completely casts aside societal norms and values in favour of something less, well, dull. Renton and his friends feel trapped, bored, unable to escape a life of poverty and have turned to drugs as an act of escapist rebellion. This film doesn’t sugar coat the reality of addiction but neither does it dehumanise the characters; these are complex people with their own stories and reasons for being who they are now. Funny one moment, vulnerable the next, this is a masterclass in bringing actual people, rather than one dimensional stereotypes, to life.

The film takes place in Edinburgh, one of my favourite cities, but you don’t get a tourism heavy view of it; instead, you get a grim reality set in dark alleyways and seedy flats. Whilst there is depravity and violence to be found in the dark corners of the city, there is also laughter, friendship and loyalty. The cinematography is incredible, giving you the feeling you’re seeing something real, you’re seeing what is beneath the surface, and it’s this realism that makes this such a fantastic cautionary tale.

The acting is also superb. From McGregor’s vulnerable Renton to Carlyle’s unpredictable and violent Begbie, this film shows a variety of realities for people who struggle with issues with drugs, alcohol and the need to escape. Each character adds new depth and dimension to the film, and each has something to bring to the themes and social commentary throughout.

Whilst Trainspotting doesn’t villainise or romanticise addiction, it also doesn’t just portray addicts as mere victims, and I really like this. This is a realistic but compassionate view on vulnerable members of society, and a critical look at the societal failings that lead people, especially youth, down such a dark path. You watch in horror as awful scenes unfold; overdoses, death, heartbreak and anger are everywhere, visceral, raw scenes constantly reminding audiences that the characters can’t just escape reality no matter how much they may want to. The stakes are very real and very high. Despite this though, the film still has some incredibly funny, dark humour throughout, with many of the characters being sarcastic and witty, and the chemistry between them leading to some hilarious if slightly ridiculous dialogue. Not only does this help to break up the bleak reality that the characters are living through, it also makes their more vulnerable moments sadder, as you find yourself rooting for characters that have been forgotten and left behind.

Trainspotting is a true cult classic. A realist dark comedy, it’s full of clever dialogue and an iconic score. You are left with an ambiguous ending and more questions than answers, yet you are hopeful that the future may be a bit better. It invites you to look at the world around you and to reassess the assumptions you make every day, to see people rather than stereotypes. Trainspotting is a timeless classic, a study of addiction, love, loss, poverty and failings in the UK, and one that may not always be the lightest available film to watch, but one that will stay with you, nonetheless.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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