Choose a Lust for Life.... Choose a Life Affirming Movie... Choose Trainspotting

Rating: 9/10 (26 March 2017)

This film is a milestone in the lives of many people. For those of that 'Chemical Generation' as we were dubbed back then, this film had a huge impact in so many ways that current generations will find it hard to understand. This was before the internet boom, we went to stores to buy records and books.
This film was a shot in the arm for British culture building on a high with the indie Britpop cultural phenomenon, and this film just slotted in perfectly. It is a story of a group of young hedonistic heroin addicts plus a sociopath, centring around Ewan McGregor's character Renton. All are selfish in their own ways, but in their cul-de-sac, they are trapped in their personal hells, and heroin is their only escape as well as a trap.
Unlike the book, which I've read, this film is clearly anti-heroin, but it doesn't force it down your throat like some corny government advice advert. This film shows the grim reality of their world, but also shines the torch to show the humanity and humour too. As a viewer, despite any repulsion, you will actually begin to empathise with some of the characters regardless of whether they are truly loathsome or not to you.
The underlying themes are what gives it all gravitas. Do the 'friends' really trust each other, are they really their own enemies? Despite desires to escape the vicious heroin circles, do those attempting to do so actually want to? The film reflects on blue-collar life, perceived hopelessness, depression and fear, but also fantasy, love and hope.
These are all themes when you are young and still developing that really come to the fore. This film captures these emotions brilliantly, with an incredible soundtrack that has stayed with me for life. To the average Briton from the 1990's, the soundtrack to this film is as much a stamp on those times as Oasis and Blur.
I'm writing this having just watched the sequel, and rewatched the original. The whole film still stands up now, but as I'm older it has still a great power and hold, and different themes come out to me. I'm admittedly a major Trainspotting devotee, having read all the Trainspotting books to date, and just re-read the original after 20 years. It all still holds up brilliantly, and the film still works its magic.
For Scots this film has huge resonance, and it is only now after so many years that you can feel the impact that a certain rant in the film by the main character had on the country. It also brought Scottish culture to the fore, which at the time was going through a renaissance with some great writing, film work and music being generated. The influence culturally from this film has been great, and there are many parts of the film that Scots will recognise most keenly.
I would heartily recommend this film to anyone, especially teenagers and those in their early 20s. Read the books too, this film got youth back into reading again. Hugely influential.
You'll learn a lot, and you'll revisit this film. It will always be in the hearts first and foremost of the 'Chemical Generation' but I hope it will also touch the hearts and minds of following generations too.
Give it a go, it will give you a Lust for Life.