Trainspotting Reviews and Ratings


  • markreeves1992
    February 7, 2009
    markreeves1992
    Considering I thought this film was about people who watched Trains for a living I was surprised by the excessive drug use warning at the beginning.

    I wasn't however put off by this, I was compelled by the fact it was a Danny Boyle film.

    I was impressed by Ewan McGregor be...( read more)cause it was so different from Obi Wan which I have known him for most of my life. His acting was impressive as was the rest of the casts.

    The strange, surreal world is what impressed me the most. The going into the toilet to a river bed, the baby on the ceiling, the shit filled sheets!

    I truly unforgetable film that shocks and surpirses but most of all pleases.
  • nezuko11738
    February 3, 2009
    nezuko11738
    A very amusing description and insight into the life of young heroin addicts. It doesn't glorify or degrade or anything, all it does is tell a story. It's not only funny, witty besides some heart-felt and sad moments but also hopeful and very honest.
    I must praise Ewan McGregor...( read more) in this film. He gave a wonderful performance of an addict trying to find his way back into the light.
  • lwooldridge
    February 3, 2009
    lwooldridge
    Classic novel made into a great film adaptation. This film is definitely in my top 3 favorite films. I'm also scottish, so it has a special place in my heart.
  • lostnhillsboro
    February 3, 2009
    lostnhillsboro
    funny movie the 1st time i watched it was with my mom and dad, and the sceen when he crawls in to the jon, we lol so hard we had to pause it to catch our breath!
  • malacaynomuerto
    February 3, 2009
    malacaynomuerto
    Nunca antes el mundo de las drogas fue visto de una manera mas guay, espectacular banda sonora!!
  • ladysupermarket
    February 2, 2009
    ladysupermarket
    such a great adventure
  • The13xxx
    February 1, 2009
    The13xxx
    Danny Boyle's most acclaimed film, Trainspotting shows us the story of four friends with different personalities but share the same similarity, Drugs.

    Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the beginning of the movie we are shown that the main character and narrator is Renton (Ewan McGr...( read more)egor).
    we watch his 'junkie' phase part of his life with his mate in the first part, and his 'clean' state in the other.
    The pain and suffering of addiction is well portrayed here, some scene are gross & disturbing.
    It have some dark comedy moment which makes it unique. The direction is well filmed, fast paced and sharp dialogue.
    Great cinematography, and well, i loved the ending. Brilliant !

    Ewan McGregor did fantastic, one of his best movie. Other cast did well, specially Begbie (Robert Caryle).

    Tommy: Doesn't it make you proud to be Scottish?

    Renton: It's SHITE being Scottish! We're the lowest of the low. The scum of the fucking Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the English. I don't. They're just wankers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by wankers. Can't even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We're ruled by effete assholes. It's a SHITE state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and ALL the fresh air in the world won't make any fucking difference!

    9/10.
  • gorillamel
    January 31, 2009
    gorillamel
    Disturbingly accurate depiction of heroin addicts lives.
  • kaipo
    January 28, 2009
    kaipo
    this movie blew my mind. the poo in the bed and ensuing hilarity was priceless. dade murphy ftw.
  • dvasummazw
    January 25, 2009
    dvasummazw
    I'm Scottish, what do you think my opinion is?
  • burlydinko
    January 24, 2009
    burlydinko
    This was one of the first movies I remember that had a lot of fast editing in it. It's a brilliant funny movie about a depressing subject.
  • doogiimanson
    January 24, 2009
    doogiimanson
    Most favourite movie very fascinating
  • alienun711
    January 23, 2009
    alienun711
    ewan mcgregor
    jonny lee miller
  • nowaknowak
    January 23, 2009
    nowaknowak
    Prawie (czemu?) idealny.
  • chrisandrussell1
    January 22, 2009
    chrisandrussell1
    ok this movie will make u never wont to try heroin
  • imagination22
    January 21, 2009
    imagination22
    Not as great as it was made out to be, great performance by McGregor none-the-less.
  • alexbasketball
    January 21, 2009
    alexbasketball
    im no sucker for smackhead content but this is a film classic. the scottish tourist board might not take a shine but as a viewer, if you cant get down with this then all is lost for you worse than tommy with a kitten hanging around.
  • brainwashedtilldamag
    January 19, 2009
    brainwashedtilldamag
    awesome movie !! amazing movies i have ever seen!!
  • leoocunha
    January 19, 2009
    leoocunha
    Bom filme, creio que a epoca causara mais impacto. Continua tendo valor.
  • DeadandReBurried
    January 19, 2009
    DeadandReBurried
    my fav
    wonderful soundtrack
  • EarthlyAlien
    January 18, 2009
    EarthlyAlien
    "Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. ...( read more)Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suite on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves. Choose your future. Choose life... But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose somethin' else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?"

    Photobucket

    Two young men are hurtling down a street as Iggy Pop's incantatory ode to survival, "Lust for Life," blasts through an old '90s-TV speakers. A little 11-year-old boy (yours truly) watches, sitting in his couch alone, speechless. Concurrently, a voice-over, with a thick Scottish accent, sardonically disembowels society's empty exhortation to "choose life." The little boy discovers, for the first time in his life, that he doesn't want to choose life either. And that he should stay the hell away from heroin.

    Trainspotting is and will always be the film that kind of took my innocence away. Once I first saw it I wasn't a little boy anymore. It's a modern-day little story about the experiences of some unrepentant Scottish junkies, yet in its opening moments, it spiritually resembles nothing so much as the Beatles' careening burst of adrenaline-charged "devil-may-care" in their introductory films, A Hard Day's Night and Help!. Hardly cute and cuddly moptops, these Trainspotting rogues are, nevertheless, driven by similarly simplistic formulas. In those films, the Beatles race along trying to stay one step ahead of crazed fans and other pursuers; action for the Trainspotting crew is solely motivated by the need to fix and score.

    Instead of the social-realism approach taken by most films dealing with drug sub-cultures, Trainspotting observes its subjects with a mordant eye - an inclusive perspective that permits humour ("It's SHITE being Scottish!"), exhilaration, wit, and hyperbole to mingle with stark realism and dingy morality. Some have (falsely) interpreted this stance as a dangerous glorification of heroin, but Trainspotting really remains neutral on the subject. Heroin, with its pitfalls and pleasures, is merely a fact of life, and so are the sub-cultures and lifestyles it generates. The film does not ignore the drug's harrows, but neither does it deny heroin's intractable lure and efficacy. In fact, the film's most pathologically violent and twisted character is an alcoholic who never touches heroin.

    Trainspotting plainly includes various heroin-related tragedies such as AIDS, crib death, and personal betrayal, but it also resorts frequently to humour and exaggeration in order to drive home other points. The most obvious example of this is the by-now talked about to death scene in which Renton swims into the most disgusting toilet/cesspool of feces in order to retrieve a couple of heroin suppositories he unwittingly excreted, thereby showing in an astonishingly vivid, surreal, and unforgettable manner the literal depths to which one can sink in the quest to score.

    Photobucket

    The same Scottish team (Danny Boyle, producer Andrew Macdonald, screenwriter John Hodge, and Ewan McGregor) responsible for 1994's surprise low-budget hit Shallow Grave reunited here for Trainspotting despite serious wooing and many lucrative proposals from Hollywood financiers. Besides pretty much making the careers of McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Kevin McKidd and Jonny Lee Miller, Trainspotting was also Kelly Macdonald's first role. It's arguably the most important film in which all these actors were in.

    At times, the Scottish accents seem difficult for everyone to penetrate (I know for a fact that even English people have a hard time understanding them), and the characters' dexterous use of slang and sub-culture references do not make things any easier. Yet the ear, if permitted, adapts quickly to the Glasgow oratory, and though some of the specifics and nuances may pass unclarified, isn't that the way of all sub-culture lingo? The on-target performances, along with the unceasing barrage of popular music and daring narrative gambles, combine to make Trainspotting one of the grand film rushes of the '90s.

    "We took morphine, diamorphine, cyclizine, codeine, temazepam, nitrazepam, phenobarbitone, sodium amytal, dextropropo xyphene, methadone, nalbuphine, pethidine, pentazocine, buprenorphine, dextromoramide, chlormethiazole. The streets are awash with drugs you can have."
  • themoreuseethewiseruget
    January 17, 2009
    themoreuseethewiseruget
    Along with the great soundtrack we can hear the requiem of the almost dying generation X.Danny Boyle directed a movie overflowing with adrenaline(legal stuff)!!!!
  • InColdBlood92
    January 16, 2009
    InColdBlood92
    Trainspotting is a 1996 Scottish film directed by Danny Boyle and based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh. The film follows a group of heroin addicts in early 1990s economically-depressed Edinburgh and their passage through life. Ewan McGregor portrays the lead charac...( read more)ter extremely well and the rest of the ensemble cast is made up of Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Kelly MacDonald, and Robert Carlyle. Since the films release it has developed a major cult following and is ranked #10 on the British Film Institutes Top 100 list. Danny Boyle is a director known for his unique style and this film is a perfect display of his amazing talent. The screenplay by John Hodge was nominated for an Academy Award but unfortunately the film got nothing, which is a shame because it?s clearly one of the greatest films ever made. A beautifully brutal and darkly comic film with an immensely clever script and phenomenal performances. The films release of course sparked some major controversy in a few countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and The US, as to whether it promoted drug abuse or not. Some people thought the film was depraved and only wanted to glorify drug use, and I assure you that?s not the point of the film at all even though drugs do play a very large role in the story. Trainspotting has a very powerful message and it could be easily noticed if you just pay attention and watch the film with an open mind. Irvine Welsh?s novel is one of the most compelling books you?ll ever find and Danny Boyle?s adaptation is just as compelling. Trainspotting is an energetic, imaginative, original, and electrifying cinematic experience unlike any other. The film can be a very unpleasant experience at times, but also very funny and enjoyable. There are quite a few scenes that can be described as unsettling or disturbing, however the overall effect of this film is very powerful and beautiful. Everything about this film is mesmerizing and spellbinding. This is a perfect motion picture. The standouts in this film were definitely McGregor, Miller, and Carlyle. Their performances are both frightening and illuminating. I have never seen acting quite like this. Danny Boyle is one of the most gifted and intelligent filmmakers in cinematic history. His work is some of the most compelling and dazzling I have ever seen. Ewan McGregor is an actor who never fails to impress me and this is by far his best work yet. Trainspotting is one of the greatest films ever made and a true masterwork, plain and simple. A classic, genius filmmaking. It?s complex, thrilling, intense, shocking, and wildly entertaining. This film will impact you in a very powerful way, whether its negative or positive. Trainspotting is beautiful, brutal, and brilliant?
  • lostcambion
    January 16, 2009
    lostcambion
    great movie about scottish heroin addicts.
  • ORI6IN
    January 14, 2009
    ORI6IN
    Anyone who thinks drugs are cool, should watch this movie so he can wake the fuck up! Brilliant film with a wise message and great performance from Ewan McGregor. Must see British masterpiece.
  • amos1sandoval
    January 13, 2009
    amos1sandoval
    CLASSIC







    I LOVE IT!!
  • dimitriostsolakidis
    January 11, 2009
    dimitriostsolakidis
    a look at the heroin epidemic of scottland in the late 70s-80s. Very emotionally balanced movie, unlike "requiem for a dream"
  • kieffer88
    January 9, 2009
    kieffer88
    One of my favourite movies. One of the very few I will watch more than once.
  • NOCLUENOFUTURE
    January 6, 2009
    NOCLUENOFUTURE
    fucking greeat! all the actors fit so well. it actually really funny as well. the toilet scene was epic! I liked how this movie didn't dissapoint me right till the end, like most movies these days!
  • DerekA101
    January 5, 2009
    DerekA101
    Trainspotting is widely considered a hidden gem of a film in 1996 by acclaimed Director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) that deals with the struggles of drug addiction. That might be my problem, I came into this film with high expectations and was sadly underwhel...( read more)med.

    From a filmmakers standpoint, there was a lot to appreciate here. Boyle's flare is evident throughout the film. The bright colors and the loud techno music help set the stage for this wicked acid trip of a film. Ewan McGregor gave a great performance as the drug-addicted, disconnected, low-life Renton. Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald also put in noteworthy performances.

    Widely compared to Requiem for a Dream more so because both center around the tragic devastation and slow deterioration of drug addiction. Whereas Requiem was more powerful, Trainspotting was supposed to be more light-hearted and funny. That's the problem. This film wasn't funny at all, and drug addiction is not a light-hearted subject. Some really awful and disturbing things happen in this film that are unforgivable: like always seeing that newborn baby at the crack house. And then when it died, I absolutely lost all empathy for this film and it's characters.

    Repulsive, vapid, and overrated. Don't waste your time.
  • Gregoriouses
    January 2, 2009
    Gregoriouses
    Directed By: Danny Boyle
    Starring: Ewan McGregor,Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle

    The Review:

    Probably one of the best movie British ever made, with a great touch of Danny Boyle, good script, great narration and Ewan McGregor's great performance alon...( read more)g with some others performance, this movie simply as unique as it expected and surprisingly enjoyable.


    "Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?"
    -Mark Renton-
  • darfox11
    December 29, 2008
    darfox11
    couldn't handle the opening scene, turned it off...
  • Harisn
    December 29, 2008
    Harisn
    Saw a scene from this when I was really young, like 10, and it was some of the first nudity I had ever seen...
    Then I watched it years later and hated it.
  • rwcandeer
    December 29, 2008
    rwcandeer
    Great actors. Not at all romanticizing drugs - it portrays the misery of people doing drugs and how hard it is to get out of it. Emotional, some scenes disturbing even. Strong. A movie you're glad you've seen to the end in two ways.
  • Ivan6655321
    December 27, 2008
    Ivan6655321
    "Trainspotting" is like a drug-induced version of "Mean Streets", packed with random vignettes that if combined together, it still doesn't mean anything. Ewan McGregor's performance is solid and believable, reminiscent of "Clockwork Orange's" Alex DeLarge. The supporting cast was...( read more) also good, but not that "great". The editing and the script are the main highlights of the film, both are fresh and unique. The hallucination scenes are very weird and bizarre, simulating what was in the minds of drug dependents. The film as a whole is almost plotless, but McGregor's character's supposed redemption at the end was very unclear, although the narration shed some light to it that he will indeed change his way of life. The scene involving the baby is very unnerving and unbelievable, because first, it was very hard to see a baby's corpse, and second, the characters, known for almost having no morality at all, seems to have kind of a moment of reflection with each other regarding the baby's death. But the sentimentality of that particular scene was ended when McGregor's character said something like "I'll cook up", meaning their only way to escape the harsh realities is through "drugs" and no other way. A good film about substance abuse and subsequent redemption, nothing more, nothing less.
  • maetthu
    December 21, 2008
    maetthu
    Waited a long time to see this one - don't know why, but what I know now: I hesitated way too long. Great movie, wicked, funny, tragic and great style... also loved the scottish accent of the actors.
  • dreamfaeries
    December 20, 2008
    dreamfaeries
    What a weird movie... but who can resist Ewan McGregor and his cute self...
  • Alejoss
    December 19, 2008
    Alejoss
    This movie is an excellent critic. not only against the prision in witch drug addicts live, but also critcizes the some ironies in society.
  • catarinabastos
    December 18, 2008
    catarinabastos
    Funny. Terrible. One of the best drugs' movie ever!
  • pichialfaro
    December 18, 2008
    pichialfaro
    FUCKING AWESOME!!!.....renton is the perfect real life hero!!!
  • conleyisn
    December 16, 2008
    conleyisn
    It's exploitative, trashy, stylized, well-acted, has a bitchin soundtrack. So good.
  • jjm002
    December 13, 2008
    jjm002
    Sin palabras. OBRA MAESTRA
  • abhishekupendran3
    December 13, 2008
    abhishekupendran3
    A sublime movie that dares to challenge the audience. Although not rewarded much at oscars it has bagged a BAFTA award as a cult classic.
    Brilliant directing by Danny Boyle & the soundtrack rocks.
    Trainspotting is one of the most effective anti-drug i've seen since 'Requiem For A...( read more) Dream' & 'Blow'. The depiction of heroin addiction is raw. All-time best cult classic
  • OmenSG
    December 13, 2008
    OmenSG




    Directed by:Danny Boyle
    Distributed by:Miramax Films (USA)

    PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (worldwide)
    Cast:Ewan McGregor

    Jonny Lee Miller

    Robert Carlyle

    Ewen Bremner

    Kevin M
    ...( read more)cKidd

    Kelly Macdonald




    Trainspotting is a 1996 British film directed by Danny Boyle based on the novel Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. The movie is about a group of heroin addicts in late 1980s Edinburgh and their passage through life. It stars Ewan McGregor as Mark Renton, Ewen Bremner as Spud, Jonny Lee Miller as Sick Boy, Kevin McKidd as Tommy, Robert Carlyle as Begbie and Kelly Macdonald as Dianne. Author Irvine Welsh also has a brief appearance as hapless drug dealer Mikey Forrester.



    The Academy Award-nominated screenplay, by John Hodge, was adapted from Welsh's novel. It does not contain any references to the non-drug-related hobby of train spotting. The title is a reference to an episode in the original book (not included in the film) where Begbie and Renton meet "an auld drunkard" in the disused Leith Central railway station, which they are visiting to use as a toilet. He asks them, in a weak attempt at a joke, if they are "trainspottin'"



    trainspotting

    A wild, freeform, Rabelaisian trip through the darkest recesses of Edinburgh low-life, focusing on Mark Renton and his attempt to give up his heroin habit, and how the latter affects his relationship with family and friends: Sean Connery wannabe Sick Boy, dimbulb Spud, psycho Begbie, 14-year-old girlfriend Diane, and clean-cut athlete Tommy, who's never touched drugs but can't help being curious about them...



    Living like this, is a full-time business.




    tarinspotting x ewan mcgregor
  • williamleonard
    December 11, 2008
    williamleonard
    Strange and engaging.
  • emersoul
    December 11, 2008
    emersoul
    THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN IT, I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT, THE DIALOGUES AND ALSO SOME KIND OF MONOLOGUES ARE SO AMAZING, DRUGS CAN BE ADDICTIVE BUT NOT FOR SOME KIND OF WEIRDS.

Summary

Trainspotting Summary