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Trainspotting (1995)

Trainspotting cover art
Average rating: 78%
111116920713
4.0
from 13,106 members
 
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, Kelly MacDonald, Ewen Bremner
Director: Danny Boyle
Studio: UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK
Run time: 89 mins
Certificate: 18
User collections: For Individual Like Minds, The Ewan McGregor Collection, Dvds that have been censored/shortened in the U.K, My Favourites, The films I like are better than the films you like, 3 Best Films From Each Of My 3 Favourite Directors, My 20 Favourite Films, films from my dvd collection that demand repeat viewings, Films for trainspotters, Films That Make Me Say Wow
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Released: unknown

Brief synopsis of Trainspotting

A kinetic, intimate look inside the subculture of heroin abuse, this acclaimed adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel follows the misadventures of Renton (Ewan McGregor), a brash twenty-something Edinburgh junkie, and his nihilistic chums Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), Tommy (Kevin McKidd), and Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Alternately comical and dark, the film ultimately comes down to Renton's choice between self-destruction or life. The stellar soundtrack should not be missed.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 5 stars out of 5 Radio Times

There was no doubt after Shallow Grave that the arrival of director Danny Boyle, producer Andrew Macdonald and doctor-turned-writer John Hodge on the British film scene was a major cause for celebration. However, it was the trio's follow-up — this devastatingly comic and tragic look at youth culture and its recreational habits — that put them firmly on the international map. Unapologetic and hard-hitting, Irvine Welsh's controversial bestseller is brought to the screen as a dazzling assault on the senses. Fiercely original and provocative, this shocker focuses on the disintegrating friendship of four Edinburgh lads as they embark on an endless drugs and petty-crime bender. In a true masterstroke, the harrowing and bleak subject matter is presented as a hilariously funny walk on the wild side, with no moral stance taken or punches pulled. Ewan McGregor is absolutely brilliant as smart-aleck junkie Renton, and Robert Carlyle gives a stunning performance as the violent Begbie. This is a savagely sophisticated work and a landmark British classic.

Rating of 4 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

A dark and ironic take on young junkies at their antisocial worst, directed with terrific energy and style, a witty subversion of the usual documentary approach to such subjects, and excellently acted by its ensemble cast.

USA Today

"...A dark, Tarantino-style humor courses through its veins...This hip rave-up is zippily entertaining....Ewan McGregor delivers his needle-sharp narration with raw charisma" -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsnothing to do with Hornby

A customer from Fife , 20/09/2003

This movie takes an odd look at life, more specifically, an odd look at heroin. The dirty, desperate, colourless depiction of addicts is clear and present but the all around feel is more surreal-like you are invited to see the world as heroin users do.

For all its seriousness, there are several hilarious comedy spots. so when Trainspotting brings you down, it picks you back up again...

There are strong performances all around by Mcgregor and Carlyle as well as a longer role for Kevin Mckidd who exchanges his clean lifestyle for a shot in the arm eventually.

The strength of Trainspotting is in the script - excellent dialogue and mixture of the ironic and the serious.

You can choose life, I?ll choose Trainspotting. 9 out of 10

  25 out of 29 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 0 starsRubbish

A customer from Portsmouth England , 12/03/2007

I could not understand it at all, no pictures of trains, or anything to do with trains.

An anorak

  21 out of 24 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsEveryone should see this cult film...

Francis Houseman from Autumn Falls, England , 29/09/2005

... but not everyone will like it. I hated this film, I'm not a fan of films of this nature - but it's a cult film that everyone should see at some point nonetheless. This seems to be one of the biggest 'in' films of the 90's. Most of my friends rate this movie quite highly - I must just have a different taste. If grim reality is your thing or if your just a Ewan fan this film is for you.

  22 out of 30 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsOn the run

borealis from london , 25/10/2003

Being addicted to Heroin is like beeing on the run all the time. Running away from fear and the past, and running for more dope and escape. Like a dog trying to bite its own tail, this gang of youth takes the audience backstage of the life of drug addicts. Their great depiction of fear, laughs and sense of meaninglessness, makes Trainspotting a must see for all thinking young people.

  14 out of 16 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 2 starsTrainspotting

A customer from London , 09/07/2005

This is only a bonus disc so only get it if you require some specific or more detailed information about the film. Otherwise, waste of time

  5 out of 7 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 stars

john#229 from DARLINGTON , 23/03/2004

A HARD HITTING GRAPHIC STORY OF ONE MANS STRUGGLE WITH DRUG ADDICTION , SOMETIMES COMICAL SOMETIMES THOUGHT PROVOKING . A VERY POWERFUL FILM THAT LOOKS AT LIFE FROM AN ADDICTS POINT OF VIEW.

REALY ENJOYED IT.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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