Lust for Life

Rating: 10/10 (15 July 2008)

Trainspotting is a Great British drugs film. It is story about a group of friends, some addicted to heroin, some are not and focuses mainly on Renton (Ewan MacGregor). It shows them dealing with a number of issues, including obviously drug use and withdrawal, cot-death, teenage sexual behaver, Scottish working-class life, crime and the drugs trade.
In the film a lot goes on. Renton goes through phases of being addicted and withdrawal of heroin. The characters are unable to say away from the pull of heroin. The characters in the film also act like normal men, they go out drinking and clubbing, playing football and having sex. However throughout the film the character lives start to fall apart, including prison, death and sickness. They end up going into a life of organised crime.
To me Trainspotting is one of the Best British films ever made. Some people have criticised the film to be glamouring drug-use, but if you see the film it does anything but. It tackles a lot of issues and isn't afraid going head-on. The film is well-written, and is based on a novel by Irvine Walsh. I admit I haven't read it but I know some of the easter-eggs like the Hiberan poster in the background. This is Danny Boyle's best film as a director and shows his talent to the full. The acting is also top-notch and many of the actors have become successful, especially Ewan MacGregor, Kelly Macdonald and Robert Carlyle. The film also have a very good soundtrack, with songs like Lust for Life by Iggy Pop, Born Slippy by Underworld and the drugs song Perfect Day.
Trainspotting is an excellent film. If you like this film then you will like Requiem for a Dream and vice versa.