Creative and Raw

Rating: Null/10 (17 July 2003)

There aren't many movies that both aren't afraid and also strive for intelligence with every move. Happiness was one. Trainspotting is another. It combines an intense desire to not hold anything back with an amazing world of characters who have analyzed life and chosen not to live it. The plot might be as simple, in the abstract, as a character continually trying to kick his heroin habit, but this movie draws that out with tons of humourous scenes and lively characters. Ewan McGregor stars as Marc Renton, the only character who is half rational. We need someone like that to bring us into this world and his voice over which runs throughout the film is a big help to understanding how he feels at various moments. The direction by John Hodge is gutsy and creative. There's one scene, for example, where Renton gets so high, he sinks into the rug and stays there, even when he's in the street, the car, and at the hospital. He doesn't come out of the rug until he comes off of the drugs. This movie does not make drugs look good at all, but at the same time it isn't filled with depression. How can you make a movie about the horrors of drug addiction and not make it sad? It has something to do with throwing intelligent humor into the mix as often as possible. This movie is a masterpiece. It takes so many chances and rocks every one of them.