Choose Life - Choose Trainspotting?

Rating: 8/10 (8 September 2009)

I watched this film back in the 90's in a old cinema that had seen better days. The film, on the other hand, was very new wave British cinema by comparison. This film really kick-started the career of Danny Boyle onto the international stage with a good combination of talented actors, cool music, amazing script and imaginative film editing.
I was totally blown away by the film. The narration by Mark Renton, played by Ewen McGregor, throughout the film brings a depth to the film, which is balanced by the antics of the Mark's friends, who are a larger than life group of drug takers and deviants. The 'Choose Life' speech at the start of the film is one example of interesting social commentary narrated over scenes of drug taking, thieving, football and fighting.
Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, Kevin McKidd, and Kelly McDonald provide the main supporting roles. There seems to be a good camaraderie amongst this group of mates that makes for a dynamic film, which is just as well because there isn't much of a story, just a tale about friendships and how to break free from the past to make a brighter future for yourself.
Not sure why 'Trainspotting' - trains really have no part in this film at all except as background objects. Perhaps it was an comic attempt (by writer Irivine Welsh) to lure some trainspotters away from their train spotting activities to see another side of life - who knows.