Review of Trainspotting (1996) by Ted A — 30 Jul 2012

All time favourite film #1: The truth is, when it comes to writing a review of your favourite film it can be a long process. There is so much you would like to say with out rambling on and on. So, I thought I might give it a shot.

Trainsotting means more to me than any other film I have ever seen. Ever. Peroiod. From the moment I first saw it I was shocked, mesmerized, disgusted, exhilerated, happy. sad, and just about every other adjective I can think of.

It simply had a strong emotional resonance with me. Why? Because it is a really DAMN good film. It's damned entertaining, and damned well made, and damned powerful stuff to say the least. From the first frames of the film, you know that you are not only in for a great film, but also an experience.

It's stylized, gritty, bitingly sharp, daker than night, and amusing in a sick, twisted way. Director Danny Boyle had already burst onto the film scene with his Hitchcockian mystery Shallow Grave, but assures himself as one of the true filmmaking wonders of the modern world with Trainspotting.

A film so impressive, and original, and daring that it is still embraced by audiences today with the same enthusiasm as when it was first released in July of 1996. It, to me, is a film that defines the energy and ambition of films made in the 90's and is in a leauge with other great 90's films such as Pulp Fiction and GoodFellas.

It's the quintessential film of the Britpop era, bringing to life the disillusionment of the UK's youth in the late 80's and early 90's. Trainspotting delves deep into the life of Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor), a twenty-something heroin addict who spends his days with his four other friends.

There is Sick Boy (Johnny Lee Miller), a seedy scoundrel and cheat, Spud (Ewen Bremner), a pathetic yet lovable dimwit, Tommy (Kevin McKidd), a good-natured athletic type who tries to avoid bad behavior if he can, and Begbie (Robert Carlyle), a psychopathic frenemy who gets off on violence and causing pain on helpless people.

The film follows thier lives as they cheat, lie, and steal to feed thier habit in Edinburgh, Scotland. Something that caught my attention in the film is the way that it defly balances the real and surreal, the grungy and poingnant.

The film comes to a heart racing head in the end where some lives go on and other's fizzle out like weak flames. It's a film about friendship, addiction, and betrayal. Even if what I have said makes the film sound like a depressing mess, let me tell you that it is one of the most free-wheeling, fun films you will ever watch.

But the film, like addiction itself, knows that it isn't all fun and games. Sometimes it is side-splittingy funny, other times it is depressingly sad. All of this is set to a brilliant soundtrack made up of Britpop bands such as Pulp and Blur, pulsating electronics by Underworld and PF Project, and classic tunes by Lou Reed and Iggy Pop.

In cinema today, no one uses music better than Danny Boyle. The film evokes brilliant performances from the whole cast, but it is McGregor and Carlyle who stand out the most. Too all people who have not yet had the pleasure of viewing this film, please do so as soon as possible.

You are in for a damned good film. I cannot say enough kind words about the film. It is truly one of the best I have ever seen in my life. Choose life......