Rent Trainspotting (1996)

Modern Masterpiece - Trainspotting review by GI

A dark journey through the squalor of drug addiction told through a brutally and shocking black comedy and one of the best British films of the post modern age. The film follows five Edinburgh based friends, three of whom are committed heroin users, one a violent sociopathic criminal and the fifth a clean living fitness freak who acts as the groups conscience although his fall is inevitable. Ewan McGregor, in arguably his best role, is Renton who narrates his journey through heroin addiction, underage sex, habitual theft, HIV and the disloyalty that accompanies drug misuse. There are scenes of overdose, cold turkey and some very realistic violence mainly committed by the psychopathic Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Brilliantly written for the screen by John Hodge based on Irvine Welsh's novel (who cameos in the film too) and superbly directed by Danny Boyle, this is by far his best film and it deserves multiple viewings to appreciate the subtleties in the film's themes and construction. Yes it's clearly a sharp and obvious condemnation of the grimy sub culture of drug addiction with surreal elements that highlight the collapse of reason and responsibility all told in some highly memorable film making. This is a remarkable achievement and it's a film that has a cult status and a relevance that, sadly, continues on. It's an important film and certainly needs to be seen if you've somehow missed it so far. This is a powerful film, and will make you cringe, wince, laugh and shudder but it's also a masterpiece.

Choose Filth, Choose Fear, Choose Film - Trainspotting review by griggs

Choose life. Choose despair. Choose a carpet that probably shouldn’t be that colour. What’s remarkable is how a film so bleak manages to feel this alive. It’s a drug movie that doesn’t moralise, a comedy that shouldn’t be funny, and somehow still a gut-punch of emotional clarity.

Ewan McGregor’s narration zips between poetic and profane, while Boyle’s direction throws kitchen-sink realism into a blender with surreal set-pieces and a killer soundtrack. The pacing is relentless, but never rushed—it surges like a high, then crashes just as hard.

What stays with you isn’t just the toilet or the dead baby or the Renton sprint—it’s the casual brutality of addiction, the friendships held together by habit, and the creeping sense that escape is a choice most can’t make.

It’s grim, yes. But also absurdly vibrant. A chemical romance for those born into a world that already feels broken. Ugly, honest, and shot through with unexpected beauty.

Who needs reasons? - Trainspotting review by HW

I watched the sequel recently and thought it was surprisingly good. But it doesn’t come close to the cinematic experience of the original. Having not seen this in years, I’ve forgotten how absolutely gripping this cocktail of black comedy, striking visuals and musical energy is. Yes it is fun and funny in places (if you have dark tastes) but there’s no denying this is a strong anti-drug film; not shying away from the grim consequences of heroin addiction while refusing to judge the characters involved. Read the novel for even more amoral chaos.