Meh. Kinda boring. Too comical, but in an unfunny way. Not that it's meant to be a comedy (or maybe it is, I don't know), but it just seemed too sterile for a heroin movie, too nonchalant. Maybe I did myself a disservice by watching this two nights after watching "Requiem for a Dream" for the first time. I was hoping for something moving and disturbing like "Requiem," but they're two totally different genres. "Requiem" was a drama, this was like a slice-of-life dramedy.
The plot confused me a bit at the begging. I thought I started to get more understanding with it but got confused a bit again near the end. Some words were foreign to me and I had to google them to understand (such as "skag"). The portrayal of heroin usage and addiction was presented in a unique way. It reminded me a bit of Requiem for a Dream. I enjoyed it but it was a tad hard to follow.
It is perhaps astounding that Trainspotting, a film dripping in Scottish argot, based on an Irvine Welsh novel (not an obvious adaptation), about heroin addicts, would become a hit, but there it is. It isn't just a tent pole of 90s pop culture, but made stars out of Ewan McGregor, Kelly Macdonald, and director Danny Boyle, whose fearless visual style managed to capture Welsh's metaphors while still allowing the raw truth of addiction to be depicted. McGregor rummaging around the Worst Toilet in Scotland cannot be deleted from memory. A large part of the appeal is the soundtrack, which is perhaps better remembered than the film itself (something it shares with Garden State, I think), but that's definitely not the only thing going for it. Though all the characters are screw-ups of the highest order, all but Begbie (let's call him the villain) are sympathetic, and we're well happy to spend a couple of hours listening to McGregor's rendition of Welsh's acid narration as their comedies and tragedies play out.
Rewatched after many years. Just as good if not better than I remembered. I forgot that, as well as being toe-curlingly grim, it's also very funny at times.
I'm gonna be just like you. The job, the family, the fucking big television. The washing machine, the car, the compact disc and electric tin opener, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, mortgage, starter home, leisure wear, luggage, three piece suite, DIY, game shows, junk food, children, walks in the park, nine to five, good at golf, washing the car, choice of sweaters, family Christmas, indexed pension, tax exemption, clearing gutters, getting by, looking ahead, the day you die.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 26
nicolaskrizan
spot onhttps://beyond1001movies.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/backtrack-trainspotting-1996/
mandapuspi
Ewan McGregor ternyata waktu muda gila! Beda banget sama dia di I Love You Phillip Morris. Mwahaha!thechristophershow
Meh. Kinda boring. Too comical, but in an unfunny way. Not that it's meant to be a comedy (or maybe it is, I don't know), but it just seemed too sterile for a heroin movie, too nonchalant. Maybe I did myself a disservice by watching this two nights after watching "Requiem for a Dream" for the first time. I was hoping for something moving and disturbing like "Requiem," but they're two totally different genres. "Requiem" was a drama, this was like a slice-of-life dramedy.Peeble
The plot confused me a bit at the begging. I thought I started to get more understanding with it but got confused a bit again near the end. Some words were foreign to me and I had to google them to understand (such as "skag"). The portrayal of heroin usage and addiction was presented in a unique way. It reminded me a bit of Requiem for a Dream. I enjoyed it but it was a tad hard to follow.GodPepper
I think is a good film based in an even better novel. Good photography, good interpretations.What I liked most was, in the original version, the Scottish accent of the characters.
Not so good, not so bad.
Siskoid
It is perhaps astounding that Trainspotting, a film dripping in Scottish argot, based on an Irvine Welsh novel (not an obvious adaptation), about heroin addicts, would become a hit, but there it is. It isn't just a tent pole of 90s pop culture, but made stars out of Ewan McGregor, Kelly Macdonald, and director Danny Boyle, whose fearless visual style managed to capture Welsh's metaphors while still allowing the raw truth of addiction to be depicted. McGregor rummaging around the Worst Toilet in Scotland cannot be deleted from memory. A large part of the appeal is the soundtrack, which is perhaps better remembered than the film itself (something it shares with Garden State, I think), but that's definitely not the only thing going for it. Though all the characters are screw-ups of the highest order, all but Begbie (let's call him the villain) are sympathetic, and we're well happy to spend a couple of hours listening to McGregor's rendition of Welsh's acid narration as their comedies and tragedies play out.Siskoid
Some might find it offensive in parts, but there's real humor and a fun visual sense throughout. Ewan McGregor's breakout film.halcain
Hard to watch if you have a weak stomachPxicosis
BASTARRRRRRDDDDDDD!!!!vishnu
best of Boyle.BeasleyOnFilm
Really good. Plot was a mess, but it made up for it by being both emotional as hell and utterly hilarious.fakirfikir
One of the best movie I've ever seen in my life !Must watch !
DonCorleone1208
God this movie scared me. Would work great as an after school special on why one should never use heroinWorzel
Rewatched after many years. Just as good if not better than I remembered. I forgot that, as well as being toe-curlingly grim, it's also very funny at times.thaisquisito
Showing items 1 – 15 of 26