Trainspotting

Rating:
Summary: Makes you never want to touch heroine
Review: This is a great movie and one of the hippest movies out there directing itself to a younger audience. While it is not for everyone and it could come as a great shock for the squeamish. Stay away from it if you're not open-minded. Great film, realistic, with some nice surrealistic scenes, great drug-induced soundtrack, and most important extremely entertaining. See it but beware.

Rating:
Summary: Harrowing But Brilliant
Review: 'Trainspotting' definitely lived up to the hype that surrounded the film when it was released a few years ago. Its portrayal of a motley crew of heroin addicts and sociopaths is done with an impeccable eye for direction and is effectively chilling. The film does not glamorize the use of drugs in any fashion, though criminals might mistake the film as a paean to their lifestyle. No judgments are made here: the demented world of these characters is placed before the viewer with all of its consequences. The squalor and decay of addiction is evident throughout the film. What stands out are the performances. Ewan McGregor is spectacular in his character's willful helplessness against heroin addiction. He is spine-tingling in his complacency, his moral indifference. Robert Carlyle is frightening as the psychotic Begbe; his versatility as an actor is on fine display, especially compared with his roles in Priest and The Full Monty. The rest of the cast does an exquisite job of portraying the utter meaninglessness that becomes part and parcel of the heroin-addicted life. The film has its intense and revolting moments--the toilet scene is not for a weak stomach and the 'cold turkey' scene, complete with dead baby crawling along the ceiling, is also disturbing. However, if the viewer is open to a hard-hitting dose of reality with an ensemble of unlikeable but well-portrayed characterizations, Trainspotting will please. The soundtrack is actually a compliment to this film, rather than a detriment, featuring the music of Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, among others.

Rating:
Summary: So real
Review: This movie made me uncomfortable at some parts, but that's because its so real. It has that kind of power. It's raw and beautiful and terrible at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Film . . . Perhaps Too Gripping
Review: Trainspotting can't help but be a deeply affecting experience. Having just seen it for the first time I feel mired in it. This film makes you feel frustrated, pent-up and desperate to to change your life radically, as if in the depths of a vicious, destructive cycle. This feeling is hard to shake even when you realize that you're not, in fact, hopelessly addicted to heroin with the only bright spot in your life a young Lolita who you keep seeing simply because if you break it off, she'll turn you in to the cops. In a plot I kept expecting to become maudlin or 'Hollywood,' the film is without identifiable holes, right down to the ending, which is not what you would expect, except if you realize that the only possible choice is to do what is not expected. Ewan McGregor is excellent in his breakthrough role and Robert Carlyle is very strong, if miles away from his role as 'Gaz,' the lead in "The Full Monty." The DVD version is a clean, sharp transfer, although there are no special features. However, I'm not sure how relevant that is because I can't imagine anyone wanting to see this possessing film enough times to want to own it. As excellent and gripping as it is, I'll be glad to get this out of my system.

Rating:
Summary: A very strange and offbeat film
Review: Well, this is a good movie to watch if you want to keep your kids away from heroin! This story of heroin addict Renton (a very excellent Ewan McGregor)and his bizarre, offbeat addict buddies is one that has to be seen to be believed. Renton tries several times to escape his addiction; he fails every time. In between his journeys to semi-sobriety are surreal moments, partially due to the camera angles, and the hallucinations he suffers when going through withdrawal. It is really difficult to describe what this film is about;it shows the ups and downs that a heroin addict suffers. It also takes place in Scotland, and, being an American, it can be difficult at times to understand exactly what is being said. Still, though, it is one wild ride, and it has one great soundtrack. The opening credits booming Iggy Pop's great song "Lust for Life" was enough to get me hooked. You have to see this film to believe it. And you should see it. Once. But it may be difficult to swallow more than that.

Rating:
Summary: A Surprisingly Hip Cautionary Tale
Review: Before I had seen "Trainspotting", I asked some friends and family what they thought of it. I only got one person who said they liked it, and everyone else thought the film glamorized drug use. I had to see and decide for myself. While the film isn't a masterpiece, it's at least worth a Friday night rental. The story concerns Scottish heroin addict Mark Renton deciding to go clean and ditch his loser friends. He gets into real estate in London and, just when life's looking good, his buddies come back and hook him on drugs again. I think some people believe that this film glamorizes and promotes drug use because the main characters shoot up as if it's nothing -- well that's what addicts do! This film is anti-drug, because Renton struggles to free himself and never gives up. Because of this, the film ends on an upbeat, hopeful note. It's worth checking out, people.

Rating:
Summary: Read the Book
Review: 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".

Rating:
Summary: Scotlands Greatest Movie ! (Except Maybe Braveheart)
Review: What a fantastic movie. Trainspotting is an excellent movie following on in the tradition of Shallow Grave. One minute your laughing the next minute your shocked as the twists of Mark Rentons life unfold. It is a must see movie for all movie buffs showing that Scotland isn't just Kilts and Haggis but that it has another side to it that not everyone sees. You have to buy this movie.

Rating:
Summary: All I can say is: oh my god!
Review: I watched this and I thought to meself..Man, that's sick...But I've watched it 30 or 40 times. It's a movie for people who like strange things, more of an acquired taste than anything. Ewan McGregor is absolutely brillant and perfectly cast for the role of our heroic (?) and drug addicted narrator "Renton". The characters are, by no means, sterling examples of humanity but they're fascinating and irresistable. Some parts show drug use in graphic detail and can make your skin crawl so watcher be aware. Other than that it's hilarious and will have you changing your pronunciation of several words because the Scottish way is just more fun:)

Rating:
Summary: Leave it in the gutter
Review: 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