Choose Trainspotting

Rating: 10/10 (14 March 2016)

Trainspotting opens with the main character, Mark Renton, running away from the cops and it doesn't let up from there. The motif here is that the film begins with Mark Renton (literally) running away from responsibility, and that is practically what he is doing for the rest of the film. His (and his friends') way of doing this is by using heroin. At first, the film shows us the good parts of using the drug and describes why one would use it ("Take the best orgasm you've ever had and multiply it by a thousand, and you're still nowhere near it), but the film progressively gets darker to show us the consequences of the drug, but without ever losing its energy and dark sense of humor.
Most of the main characters in the film are not by any means good people, and they know they are not good people, but they are people regardless and each character is well rounded and believable. They are also incredibly well played by everyone in the cast, the most impressive performance obviously being Ewan Mcgregor's performance as Mark Renton. They know what they are doing to themselves when they use the drug, yet they still use it because of the good parts of the drug, which is why the film is so effective in showing the viewer why he or she shouldn't use the drug, even once.
This is a very stylish film, but it isn't stylish without a purpose. The film uses its camera work and editing to put the viewer in the mind of a character that is on drugs, and to great effect. The soundtrack is worth noting as well; every song is used perfectly in its context, my favorite moment being when Mark overdoses and "Perfect Day" by Louis Reef begins playing to show Mark's relationship to heroin, even in his lowest moment (also, the editing and camera work from Mark's point of view in that scene was perfect, you'll know what I'm talking about if you've seen it).
Trainspotting is gross, sad, and dirty, while it is simultaneously energetic, entertaining, and funny. Pretty much all of the characters are bad people but they're also incredibly fun to watch. So if you're looking for a movie to watch, I have 2 words for you: choose Trainspotting