Trainspotting is strong, realistic and highly enjoyable peek into rather grey Mondays in 1980s Scotland

Rating: 10/10 (12 February 2013)

Based on a novel of same name by Irwin Welsh, Trainspotting is a satirical film about a pack of Edinburghians (is that a word?) who have burned all bridges behind them and chosen something completely else. They've chosen heroin.
Main character of the plot is Mark "Rents" Renton (Ewan McGregor) whose self-observing mentality and lust for life lifts him momentarily away from drug inhabited life. Dramatic, tragic and at times very comic situations ensue while Renton observes his relationship towards friends and family. Not to mention the whole world.
The reason for this film being one of my all-time favorites lies simply in characterization. In addition to Renton and plenty of other casting, pack includes narcissistic Begbie (Robert Carlyle), sympathetic Spud (Ewen Bremner) and egomaniac Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller). Director Danny Boyle builds steam from a grain of salt casting this movie. Don't believe it? Check for instance Renton's hallucinations inside men's room toilet, Begbie's outbursts of rage in pub or Sick Boy's obsession to Scottish icon, none else than, Sean Connery.
Trainspotting is strong, realistic and highly enjoyable peek into rather grey Mondays in 1980s Scotland where life has its ups under the influence of heroin, alcohol, 'fitba' (soccer) and Iggy Pop gigs. This is where life literally is seconds away from sting.
Review originally posted in Finnish here: www.keittopaiva.com/331/130- trainspotting