Funny, sick and informative at the same time

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 1999)

This is a great anti-drug movie. Once you get into the movie it is a funny, yet very gritty view of the drug scene in Scotland.
Throughout the movie there are many hilarious moments, and there are also some quite horrific scenes.
It is designed, I think at least, to discourage people from joining in with the rapidly increasing drug scene in Scotland, and because of this it includes many harrowing images that would discourage anyone from even looking into it. The view of withdrawal symptoms from heroine, its effects in essentially ruining a "junkie"'s life, and showing the effects on an overdose, really do provide a grim view of drug use.
Although it has these disturbing scenes, it is interlaced with some extremely funny scenes, good screenplay and a great soundtrack.
The characterisation of the movie is also great. By the end of the movie you will feel pleased for Renton, sympathy and affection for Spud, and you will be quite worried that there can be people like Frances Bigby around Scotland.
Finally, this movie will definitely discourage you from using an Edinburgh pub's toilet if you have an American accent.
Watch this, either for the comedy, the insight into the Scottish drug scene, or to discourage someone from using drugs.