Trainspotting (1996)
In the slums of Edinburgh, Scotland a group of young men hang out, drink, talk rubbish and satisfy their addiction to heroin. We are introduced to this dark, isolating world through the eyes of Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) who narrates proceedings in minute detail, sharing his life and habit in the most confronting and in-your-face way. We come to understand his reasons for shooting up from the beginning, which are unapologetic and purely selfish. But there is more to this addict than just the pale face and dark, hollow eyes. When he tries to go clean, he will have to fight temptation, manage new relationships and go through the pain and paranoia of withdrawal.
Trainspotting takes the cake as the most confronting, revealing and unashamed film of the 90’s. Based on the 1993 novel by Irvine Welsh, the film quietly emerged from the Scottish film industry, but when it landed in Hollywood, it made a lot of noise and took the world by storm.
Directed by
a then little-known Danny Boyle, Trainspotting was only his second feature and
it showed a style of filmmaking that was confident, daring and not afraid to tell
it like it was. Joining the now acclaimed director in the lead was Ewan
McGregor, also a little-known actor of the time. He carries the film with complete
conviction and an ease of acting that suggested years of experience. But McGregor
was only twenty-five at the time. It would be his star-making performance, letting
him go on to become one of the most reliable, bankable and likeable “Everyman”
actors working today.
The focus
of the film is the drug itself; heroin. Making something of a come back in the
90’s, Trainspotting wasn’t the first or only film to explore it, but it is
perhaps the most accurate in depicting the experience of users, both on and off
the drug. As most drugs were considered shameful and weak in the eyes of wider
society, Trainspotting didn’t care for this and treated audiences to a portrayal
of those who used the substance in a ways that was sometimes funny, often appalling
but always real. Could it be said the film glamourizes the use of drugs? Not at
all. Just strap yourself in and be prepared for a viewing experience that holds
nothing back, and will shock, disgust and challenge you to keep watching, and
reconsider your feelings and viewpoints about drugs from then on.
Trainspotting was a case of a film outside the Hollywood factory breaking in, and showing the industry how to do it right. Movies about drugs had come before this of course, and continue to show up at least once a year. But where Hollywood likes to take either a sensationalized view on drugs in films (Blow), or merely an observational perspective (Traffic), the Scottish movie scene didn’t hold itself back from showing the world the genuine deal, and it is this aspect of the movies style that attracted audiences in. Either they were completely unfamiliar or naïve to the realities of heroin and would receive an education, or they had experienced it themselves and could relate to the scenes happening on screen to their own use.
Not only
did Trainspotting launch the career of Ewan McGregor, but it showed the world Danny
Boyle was a director to watch. From here, he would go on to direct one diverse
film after another, switching genres and stories completely, with “The Beach”, “28
Days Later”, and “Slumdog Millionaire”; proving himself to be one of the most
versatile and original directors working today.
The film has
gone on to garner a large cult following, for a whole generation of movie
lovers and disenfranchised youth around the world. As the film was carried by
the stellar performance of Ewan McGregor, he instantly connected with viewers
either as a skilled performer, or a very convincing example of the characteristics
of a heroin addict. It’s the type of the film a movie club could watch as a
group and discuss for hours, or watched alone in the home by the person just wanting
to understand drugs a bit better, or see themselves reflected in the characters
and their story.
Not to say
the film is suggesting that anyone who uses heroin can successfully get off it,
find a girlfriend, and make off with a ton of money as our lead character does,
but perhaps for those still battling the addiction, they found hope in the
journey of Brenton. He starts off as a classic junkie of the highest order,
then goes through hell in order to come clean. All the while, he shows the audience
he is basically a good guy, who’s just made bad choices and lives in a world
with people won’t easily let him go.
Trainspotting continues to be a favourite for movie goers everywhere, and has earned its place in movie history. It lifted the Scottish movie industry out of the cold streets of Edinburgh, and into the sunny, palm-tree lined boulevards of Hollywood. It is a film that is widely respected, often analyzed, and rewatched by its strongest fans over and over. Eventually, it warranted a sequel over twenty years later, bringing back the original cast and continuing the story in fine fashion.
No comments:
Post a Comment