Still a brilliant movie that left an indelible impression on me over 20 years ago.

Rating: 10/10 (11 February 2017)

Trainspotting is still a brilliant movie that left an indelible impression on me over 20 years ago. Everything was brilliant about it including the casting, the story, the soundtrack, the crackling dialogue, and Danny Boyle's top notch direction. There's no disputing the fact that it is not for everyone, and there are plenty of scenes that are not for the faint hearted or squeamish. Trainspotting has earned a well deserved spot as one of the best movies of the 90's.
Trainspotting focuses on heroin addict Mark Renton (Ewen McGregor) and his circle of misfit friends including con artist Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), the dim-witted but good-hearted Spud (Ewen Bremner), the athletic and soccer loving Tommy (Kevin McKidd), and Begbie (Robert Carlyle) who is violently unstable and gets a thrill from picking fights with others. Renton and his circle of friends are deeply engrossed in the Scottish drug scene. Renton's fortunes start to change when he undergoes treatment for withdrawal of heroin following a near fatal incident and his strong desire to escape the drug scene and make a fresh start.
The cast, namely Ewen McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle are just brilliant. It was also fantastic to see this movie as a big stepping stone for all four actors have gone onto bigger and better things in Hollywood. Kelly McDonald, who makes her cinematic debut as the schoolgirl Diane who hooks up with Renton, has also gone onto bigger and better things with roles in such movies No Country for Old Men (2007) and TV series Boardwalk Empire.
For a black comedy that is about drug use, Trainspotting is a realistic anti drug movie that in no way glamorises nor does it glorify drug use. The movie shows the various horrific consequences of drug use and how it affects the user and others around them including family and friends.
Trainspotting was a sleeper hit in 1996 that came out of nowhere and surprised everyone with its memorable story and terrific acting. Trainspotting deserved its acclaim from critics and audiences alike. To this day, Trainspotting is still a very popular movie and for me personally has cemented a permanent spot as one of my favourite movies of all time.
Looking forward to the sequel T2 Trainspotting hit the cinemas in February 2017 and seeing the original cast reunite again.
A well deserved 10/10.