Genres

Visitors Review

Danny Ledonne 2012-05-22 03:35:47

More than a movie, a metronome tailor made for Gen-X

From the opening scene to the closing finale, Trainspotting is a rhythmictreat unlike any other. It hits hard and frequent, moving at a fever pitchand brandishing awesome overseas music most US viewers would have neverheard otherwise. (buy the soundtrack!)The theme, the pacing, the characters, they all lend themselves to a teengeneration. --and that's good. While most anti-drug movies (shall Idaresay 'New Jack City'?) just spend two hours showing anything andeverything horrific about substance abuse, Trainspotting shows every aspectof the drug scene: The flood and flush of money, the highs and lows ofaddiction, the social fabric woven by heroin junkies; after seeing thismovie I had little interest in heroin whatsoever, because this film showedme EVERYTHING I needed to know. Rather than using scare tactics,Trainspotting using clever plot execution and some very creative effects. (ever been to the 'worst toilet in Scotland?')Aside from the theme, the movie is filling with brilliant performances. Aside from the obvious Ewan McGregor, (this is really his breakthrough film)Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) plays an astoundingly violent alcoholicBegbie without remorse. Though not really about growing up, the film doestouch on the subject, and one can't help but walk away thinking that Rentonis just like you, what with the job, the car, the big f*cking television,the washing machines...Tolka's advice: Crank up your stereo and hold on tight!

Johnny10 2012-05-21 09:11:21

a must see

Transpotting is truly a must see film. Not only is the movie full ofgreat acting; i think Ewan Mcreggor's best. And stylish camera shots,and a great soundtrack, and well written scripts. It is an importantfilm to see. When i began to watch the film i thought it was a crazydrug movie that just wants to make you laugh at the junkies. But o wasi wrong, it gets much deeper and totally turns the other way around.I'm familiar with Danny Boyle's work, i'v seen both 28 Days later andMillions and i was impressed with both, but this truly shows his giftof being a director. I strongly recommend Transpotting, not made foryounger kids, explicit drug use and some strong language and violence,but for anyone over 13 i recommend this amazing film.

kergillian 2012-05-17 04:35:02

Well done, but short of its potential...

An excellent creative team, fabulous cast, great story...so what went wrong?A bit of a loaded question, because the film was still fantastic, eventhough it missed its mark. What went wrong is that the film could nevercompare to the book...and although I'm probably a bit biased due to anadoration of Irvine Welsh's writing (well...most of it;), the film reallyscrewed a bit up too much to be forgiven. Having the original screenplay, Iadmit that it was partially due to time constraints...they cut a lot ofscenes out that would have improved the film. But there was a lot that justshouldn't have been done.Let's start with Diane. Diane is unforgivable, as she's actually twocharacters combined into one. In the book Dianne was the high school girlRents ended up sleeping with, but the girl he ended up with, who wrote tohim in London, was another girl completely (Kelly?) And the way he ended upwith Dianne was different, she was much less sharp tongued and much morenaive, and the whole breakfast and post-breakfast scene was completelydifferent.The second major beef I had was with the ending. In the book Rents stole themoney with no qualms and no regrets. He didn't leave a cent for Spud and hedidn't plan on giving up the skag and turning clean. He was going to heaveoff to France and live in a heroin paradise; not working and reverting todrugs.Thirdly, Tommy was much more bitter and dejected; he blamed Renton for hisAIDS and was never able to deal with it properly.Finally, the entire reason for the title was dropped. The whole'Trainspotting' scene has not even a mention in the film, not even a mentionof Begbie's father...And then there's Rents' brother, who barely rates a glance in thefilm...A gripe I have about the film itself, is that some scenes are overdone, evenuseless. The scene where Renton kicks is horrid; the whole baby crawlingacross the ceiling/Spud in chains/Tommy as a haggard AIDS victim (though wedon't even know he has it at that point) is just too much. And a waste oftime. Definitely one scene that could have been sacrifice; or at least theycould have found a better way to do it.And a lot of scenes were sloppy...much of the information that is essentialto the story is given in passing, or we find out facts after they've beendisplayed. I think this is because of the shape the original script took,and the cuts seem to have harmed the story in a way that should have beenrepaired.But all that aside, the film was cast perfectly (Dianne aside, who shouldn'thave really been as important to the film as she was, even). Jonny LeeMiller is the absolute perfect Sick Boy, and MacGregor is brilliant asRents. Ewen Bremner is hilarious as Spud, especially in the job scene (theRenton half of that scene, which is missing from the film, is even moreamusing;) and he also makes an appearance in the other Irvine Welsh film,The Acid House, which anyone who liked this film should go out and watch...Top off that cast with Robert Carlyle as an amazing Begbie, and Irvine Welshhimself popping in as Mikey, and we're all set.Overall: The errors and changes in the film don't really ruin it, but fansof the book may be disappointed somewhat. This film doesn't come close toDanny Boyle and John Hodge's previous effort, Shallow Grave, but it's stilla fabulous film. Anyone who hasn't read the book will appreciate the filmeven more, and who could ask for a better cast?? All gripes aside, I stillrate this an easy 8/10.

vectraSRi_220hp 2012-05-16 16:22:02

1 word.. awesome!!

I love this film! Why it didn't get a higher rating on IMDb is beyond me:oSThis film ranks among my best of all time, and it isnae likely to dropout of it as long as i can absorb films. The performances given by themain characters were top-notch. The plot, as grim as it may be, doesstrike a chord with the audience and with the upbeat ending (at leastfor one individual) makes for excellent viewing. The character ofBegbie is my all-round fave, his never-ending search for troublecracked me up big time!The soundtrack is highly recommended, the songs have been finely chosenand compliment the relevant scenes perfectly!One extra "goof" that was never picked up, having been reminded of theincident where some viewers never saw the condom being tossed onto thebed. It might just have been bad lighting, but did any1 notice afterthe sex scene, when Renton is sitting up on the bed, its faintlyvisible that he does NOT have the condom on, yet wen he is ushered outof the room, Hey Presto! He now has it on... (if I'm wrong forgive me!)Nevertheless, an outstanding film. Seen it many times on TV and VHS andit never gets boring! In my home city I've never been able 2 track downthe DVD version in any high street store :( hence the VHS copy.

linjbs 2012-05-07 04:51:24

Heroin, heroin and more herion; and the dire consequences of that much heroin...

This film deals with one of the world's most abused drugs, heroin. We gettomet some persons, whose lives are ruled only by drugs. Their lives areaboutgetting a fix and thinking about how to get enough money for the next. Thefilm has been made with a lot of creativity in order to illustrate whateffect heroin has on our organism. The atmosphere is everything in thismovie. Expressions, experiences and exertion related to the drug. It is inshort a tragic, but entertaining portrait of the world of a drug addict.Surely worth watching.

Stewart Wilson 2012-05-06 11:59:16

He can have the fat end in his.....

I love Trainspotting, it is a dark film which deals with a gruesome subject,that of heroin abuse and the effect it has on not only the users but thosearound them. It does this effectively by using humour - some of the scenesare laugh out loud funny especially to a Scot familiar with the type ofcharacters, walk into any working mans club in Scotland and you will nodoubt come across a Begbie (Robert Carlyle is superb in the role). Avoidinghim is the best idea! It's another of those Book vs. Movie debates - i haven't bothered to readthe book yet so can't comment on its merits compared to the movie. All in all an amusing look at a dark subject which thankfully does nothingto glamorise drugs - quite the opposite.8/10

Bobby Khorasani 2012-05-04 23:49:16

drugs and existentialism

this movie is highly recommended for anyone interested in existentialthemes. i found Danny Boyle very nicely illustrated Irvine Welsh'sstory of a man who questions his purpose and has to choose between lifeand nothing (thereby not choosing at all). by not choosing, he meansfalling back on heroine, the ultimate escape from reality.The acting delivers the great plot and script perfectly. I couldn't askfor more.i loved it. especially when he goes to London to try to integrate into'life.' please watch. spud: this is not natural man. tommy: it's the great outdoors! it'sfresh air!

2012-05-04 22:50:06

Read the Book

Read the book by Irvine Welsh if you liked the movie--a masterpiece by a very talented and fresh author. By the way, Welsh appears in the movie as the drug dealer "Mikey".

Baþar Horasan 2012-05-02 00:45:50

Fantastic Point of View

In the beginning you feel like watching a depressive drug-related filmwhichwill bore you short-after. But then you start considering yourself in therole of Renton and think that the drug-stuff should be overwhelming. Butatthe end you see its true-face and become self-confirmed. Anyway, the filminspired me in a manner that the conversation of "Sick Boy" and "Renton"worths listening. The commends about big movies and big actors wasfascinating. And of course the music inspired me. The way the film wasfullycoordinated with the sound-track. As a result voting 10 marks to that filmwon't be a mistake!

2012-05-01 14:35:56

Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?

Mainly, this is the story of Renton, a heroin addict, and his friends Tommy, Spud, Sick Boy, and Begbie. Renton tries more than once to rid himself of the white horse on his back, but finds that being sucked back in is easier than fighting the horse.This is a movie about people and personalities, not one particular event, though several of these everyday occurrences will stand out in your mind forever - Like the world's filthiest toilet that Renton is forced to use, and his toilet daydream that follows it. There's an unforgettable scat scene with morning sheets that will be sure to turn your stomach.Warning: There is a dead baby scene in this movie that will turn most stomachs and perhaps make you hate every heroin addict that ever lived. Though nothing is ever said about it, the insinuation is that the baby died from neglect. Before even reporting it, the mother needs a "hit" to calm her down.Set to a great soundtrack and filled with witty dialogue (although absolutely filled with flagrant curses) and narrative, 'Trainspotting' highlights not just the differences between "Us And Them" but the differences between the addicts themselves. The most violent of the addicts, Begbie, never touches heroin and considers it to be filth while swilling alcohol and stabbing people. Spud is simply confused all the time, while Tommy manages to steer clear of the horse until his girlfriend dumps him.If you're a fan of the addiction movie, then this is a must-see. If you can't handle horrific scenes, such as the dead baby scene, then perhaps pass on this. Because of its languid, what-happens-everyday approach is far from an active script, a rental first might be the best approach to viewing this movie before buying. Enjoy!

vitoiaco 2012-04-29 06:08:26

Great

A great film with the dialogue and characters that are absolutelyamazing. A group of "friends" hit by the boring days in Scotland. Theonly pleasure they have is Heroine. The press went absolutely ballisticbecause this film was meant to promote the use of heroine to theyoungsters. I think this is completely wrong. The film is built up toexplain the effects of the drug, people living in disgraceful flats,not caring about anything else but "hero". Slowly Renton (maincharacter) starts giving up and you can see at the end that "he chooseslife" and his maxi flat screen TV. A better message could not beengiven. A MUST see! It will open your eyes

2012-04-28 17:49:58

Leave it in the gutter

I thought this film was way overrated. Too trendy a look into the heroin culture with a strong dose of fatalism. Provides a great existential backdrop for rationalizing escapism but not very much entertainment value (unless the viewer enjoys watching people trash their lives). Decent enough music kept me watching the whole movie...wish I hadn't wasted my time renting it, though. My $.02

2012-04-26 15:13:40

Ewen McGregor breaks through to the mainstream

I first caught Trainspotting in '96 when it was released in theaters. I had not read the book but I figured a movie about Scottish hoodlums who were heroin addicts sounded interesting, so I checked it out. Man, what a film! The cast was flawlessly assembled by director Danny Boyle and includes a career making performance by Ewen McGregor. But, McGregor's supporting cast is what really makes Trainspotting stand out above most other films. Robert Carlyle is simultaneously hilarious and chilling as Begbie, the elder statesman of the group who in fact is the only one who is not a heroin addict. As Renton(McGregor's character) states "...Begbie didn't do drugs, he did people." So true. Begbie is a psychopath in the purist sense of the word. He's a thief, a batterer, and a big time alcoholic, not the kind of guy you want to piss off. Carlyle literally steals every scene he is in and is almost impossible to understand with his ultra-thick Scottish accent. Jonny Lee Miller plays Sick Boy, the pretty boy of the group who also happens to be the most well adjusted with the innate ability to dump his heroin addiction cold turkey. Ewen Bremner plays the dummy of the group to perfection, he is crude and slow-witted but ultimately good hearted. Ewen McGregor's Renton is a complex and dark character who is torn between doing the right thing and living a clean, normal life and his terrible addiction. Trainspotting is a realistic film. Renton doesn't just kick his habit but goes through several relapses. Renton wants a better life for himself but needs a break to get out of his lower class town and towards the end of the film the opportunity presents itself. Trainspotting has been called "A Clockwork Orange for the '90's" which I tend to disagree with. Trainspotting is not a visual journey as Clockwork is but they are both a study of human nature. Trainspotting's central characters are nowhere near as vicious as Kubrick's Droogs who raped, beat, stole, and terrorized at will. Boyle's characters have heart and you can feel their pain and emotions, you ultimately come to care about them. In Clockwork, Alex is finally getting his just desserts. Anyway, Trainspotting a great watch and addition to any DVD collection. Highly Recommended.

mare-20 2012-04-26 00:49:42

Ewan Mac Gregor........ and Peter Boyle

Just the Best Peter Boyle's movie..... and I just love him because hewantsEwan Macgregor for all his movies.... Well in "The beach" he changes hisrole actor for Di Caprio but well..... I don't know if you notice that inevery movie, he uses the same elements even the endings are very similar (compare Shallows Grave and Trainspotting and A life less ordinary) and thethree of them, are protagonize for Ewan.... and the same character, anirish... even the baby that walks in the scenes... justwonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erin-66 2012-04-22 16:46:22

if you loved "Clockwork Orange," you'll love this.

If there is anything that we can learn from Trainspotting, it's choose lifeover drugs. Those guys had such messed up lives. It's classified as acomedy and I don't understand why. It's very depressing. I felt sorry forthat poor baby. What kind of father would let his kid live in thoseconditions? I liked the movie because it was surreal, especially the partwhere Mark is hallucinating after recovering from a heroin overdose. Ithink that all drug users should be forced to watch this film to show howdrugs can mess up your life. Better yet, they should be forced to watchactual footage of real drug users.All in all, this was a very good movie. True to life and sometimes darklyfunny.

quietfear 2012-04-22 05:51:05

Guess What?.....

This Is One Of The Most Horrendous Pieces Of Film I Have EverEncountered. I've Never Felt So Much Satisfaction Making It To TheClosing Credits In My Life. What A Stupid Movie! From TheViolating Dead Baby Scene To The Barely Amusing Shoot The DogScene, I Ended This Movie With A Deeply Sad Feeling That I'dNever Get That Time In My Life Back Again. It's Pointless And ThePlot Is Outrageous. You Want To See A Good Overdose Movie,Rent "Requium For A Dream". I Know Some People Who ReallyEnjoyed This Movie. That's Fine If You Have An I.Q. Of 7 Or Less,But For Those Who Like Films With Intelligence, ProductiveCreativity & Purpose.....Don't See This Film. Just Go Rub YourHead Rabbit Vomit Because You'll Get The Same Satisfaction.

Funky A 2012-04-22 02:55:53

Another exceptional Danny Boyle movie!

Danny Boyle has made some of the best movies of the 90's with great movieslike Shallow Grave, A Life Less Ordinary and this one. Trainspotting is amovie about drugs and drug-users. This is a difficult subject, mostlybecause it's hard to talk about it without moralizing, but this movieachieves it with class. First of all, Ewan McGregor is excellent asRent-Boy. But the rest of the cast also shines. Robert Carlyle is great asthe deranged Begbie, Jonny Lee Miller, an actor which I had never heard ofbefore, is excellent as Sick-Boy and Ewan Bremner(another actor I had neverheard of before) is perfect for the role of Spuds. And let's not forgetKevin McKidd(yet another actor I had never heard from) which gives a verysensible performance as Tommy. The dialogue is always believable(although Ilost a little bit of it when I first head Begbie's accent). The movie hasfound the perfect balance between harsh realism and fantasy, but also theperfect balance between drama and comedy. Because, even if this movie couldhave been a potential downer, it is not one. It takes it subject seriously,but at the same time, who could find a movie where a man plunges into atoilet and finds himself swimming in it can be absolutely depressing?Boyle's directing is a pure pleasure, creative and dynamic, but it nevergoes into MTV territories, which many less talented directors would havebeen to with this subject and such an... amazing soundtrack. Yes, even thesoundtrack is excellent(which is not really a surprise, since this is aDanny Boyle movie) and includes music by Underworld, Iggy Pop, Blur and manyothers. One of the few problems this movie has is that I find that itdoesn't talk enough about Renton's relationship with Diane. Apart from thatit's a twisted, well-acted, intelligent, sensible and at the same timeenergizing movie. I highly recommend it(along with Shallow Grave and A LifeLess Ordinary).89%

2012-04-21 21:30:13

Brilliant british film, but the Canadians get the best disc

For once it's not US users that get the best deal. European version has the film and some sketchy biogs, 5.1 sound for dialogue and music. The Canadian Region 1 disc, however, includes a 22-minute documentary, deleted scenes (I assume the ones on the Special Edition VHS) and the original theatrical trailer.

SebastianK 2012-04-16 11:14:21

One of the best independent films ive seen

All I have to say is wow. I loved this movie so much, Ive watched it a week in a row now. I love the story, acting, and how it goes from comedy to tragedy and back again. Believe it or not, this movie made me feel good. I guess I just love the ending. GREAT MOVIE, I recommend it to anyone!

tomdavie 2012-04-15 17:06:46

One of the great gen x movies

This movie is well written, smartly directed, and brilliantly acted.Ewan Mc Gregor gives his best performance as Mark Renton, a youngScottish screw up. Many of the actors are in their early twenties andnew to film, which makes their performances even more incredible.The lasting success of this film is due to the subtle brilliance of themajor part actors that lives on each time we watch a scene. IrvineWelsh's vision of the downtrodden youths is uncanny, real andworthwhile. The actors,notably newcomer Kelly McDonald act withoutoveracting. Making the characters engaging and believable.This film became so popular because it can be viewed by many differentviewers on many different levels. Some can watch it for the junkiescrew up value. Some watch it to see a Scottish Comedy. Some of us viewit for the camera shots, where there are generous profile monologues .Some see it as a cultural piece, and praise its cult value. Its definitely worth a look, then a second, third and so on. I haveseen the movie 16 times now, and I still catch nuances.