Trainspotting

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Kevin McKidd, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
1996

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Four friends deal with drugs, crime, and their own shortcomings as they live a carefree and responsibility free life in the United Kingdom.

Review:

Tim: Although I've heard a number of good things about this film, I am still surprised i liked it as much as I did. Usually, movies about heroin addicts and their loser friends do not appeal to me. However, this movie is charming, realistic, and very, very funny.

The film shows pretty honestly the whole drug addiction scene. These moments are eye opening and occasionally difficult to watch. Ewan McGregor's withdrawal scene is particularly well done. On top of this realistic look are some truly funny scenes. The most hilarious involved a bit of gross out humor (McGregor diving into the toilet, the bed sheet fiasco, etc.) These scenes made me laugh harder than I've laughed in some straight-up comedies.

McGregor is very good in the role. His everyman quality lets us sympathize with him, even as he's doing things most people will never do. The rest of the cast was decent, although I was a little disappointed in the usually reliable Robert Carlyle.

Director Danny Boyle is really making a name for himself. Trainspotting is one of those movies you just need to see- not necessarily for any reason, but just to do it. It is a good flick, although I'm still a little bit confused on the whole "trainspotting" thing.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: 28 Days Later, Millions, A Life Less Ordinary