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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Trainspotting

Universal acclaim
Based on 29 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 44 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by:
Irvine Welsh (novel)
John Hodge
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Release Date:
Theatrical: July 19, 1996
DVD: March 24, 1998
Running Time: 94 minutes, Color
Origin: UK
Summary
RATING: R for graphic heroin use and resulting depravity, strong language, sex, nudity and some violence
Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly MacDonald
Renton (McGregor), a twenty-something junkie, is deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene. He must choose to clean up and get out, or continue following the allure of the drugs and the influence of friends.
Also On Metacritic
FILM: 28 Days Later A Life Less Ordinary Millions Shallow Grave The Beach
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
It would be hard to imagine a movie about drugs, depravity, and all-around bad behavior more electrifying than Trainspotting.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
Heroin may be a downer, but Trainspotting definitely takes you up a series of roaring, provocative, outrageous highs. [26 July 1996, Friday, p.C]
Film.com Susan Rathke
Darkly humorous, intensely graphic.
Film.com Shannon Gee
Keeps you engaged in this story of a memorable anti-hero for our times.
Salon.com Charles Taylor
The most original, daring, thrilling movie to be released this year, Trainspotting is one of those occasional, astonishing triumphs of risk and imagination that gets you excited about what smart people, pushing themselves and the medium, can accomplish in the movies.
Read Full Review >Slate Michael Wood
A desolate, fast, funny, scary film, and it takes more risks than any recent film.
Read Full Review >Time Richard Corliss
The film is about joy--in conniving and surviving, in connecting with audiences, in its own fizzy, jizzy style.
Read Full Review >Variety Derek Elley
Scabrous, brutal and hip, Trainspotting is a "Clockwork Orange" for the '90s.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
Exuberant and pitiless, profane yet eloquent, flush with the ability to create laughter out of unspeakable situations, Trainspotting is a drop-dead look at a dead-end lifestyle that has all the strength of its considerable contradictions.
Read Full Review >TNT RoughCut Jason Puskar
Irresistibly bleak appeal.
Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
The on-target performances, along with the unceasing barrage of popular music and daring narrative gambles, combine to make Trainspotting one of the grand movie rushes of 1996.
Read Full Review >USA Today Mike Clark
A movie that rudely flings feces at the breakfast table isn't for everyone.
Read Full Review >ReelViews James Berardinelli
There's nothing new or unique about the story, but it is presented in a manner that reinforces its immediacy and impact.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey
A little like speeding through the digestive tract of some voracious beast. There's bite, acid, digestive churning and an expulsive conclusion. If the metaphor seems unsavoury, well, wait until you see the film.
Read Full Review >Film.com John Hartl
Ewan McGregor in a raw, funny, star-making performance.
Film.com Tom Keogh
A surprisingly vital film.
Newsweek John Leland
Artfully ambivalent, Danny Boyle's film, twists with a junkie's logic. It does not preach; it wallows in the pain and, more daringly, in the pleasure.
Read Full Review >Dallas Observer Arnold Wayne Jones
Creates a sense of understanding that crystallizes the essence of the drug subculture with startling clarity.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Elvis Mitchell
The stylish irreverence of Trainspotting mimics that drug high and delivers its own potent kick.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle
Darkly comic tone of heroin-addiction film sets it apart
Read Full Review >Baltimore Sun Ann Hornaday
Isn't a noble story, or even a cautionary one: It just feels pretty painfully real.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
It uses a colorful vocabulary, it contains a lot of energy, it elevates its miserable heroes to the status of icons (in their own eyes, that is).
Read Full Review >TV Guide Frank Lovece
Captures the way drug addiction gives structure and purpose to aimless lives, and evokes the breathtaking rapture of a fix. All this and a happy ending, too.
Read Full Review >The New Republic Stanley Kauffmann
A new voyeurism has arisen in the last two decades or so, and Trainspotting caters to it--an addiction to addiction-watching. [August 19, 1996]
Washington Post Desson Thomson
The story, such as it is, follows Renton's inconsistent attempts to kick his habit.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 44 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Michael L. gave it a10:
A visceral and involving masterpiece of a movie. Every scene is pitch-perfect and you won't take your eyes off the screen until the credits roll. Well, unless you made the mistake of turning away as Renton dives headlong into a filthy, cloggged toilet, only to temporarily emerge in an underwater fantasy world. Takes the excellent source novel and narrows and tightens it in just the right ways for the screen.
Jack L gave it a7:
It is a good movie and surely people love it. Stylish and cool!!! Good cinematography. However, I don't find any new and vibrant concept or message.
Alex S. gave it a9:
It dealt with even the most difficult subjects in a humoristic fashion.
Luiggi R. gave it a10:
Truly an epic film. The soudtrack itself was amazing. All characters were well developed and interesting. A real out of the body experience.
jim m. gave it a10:
Such a great movie for so many different reasons.
Akhil K gave it a9:
An absolute blast! McGregor is at his best here and dare i say - in his element? Pun aside, Trainspotting is as funny as it is scary. The nightmare scene itself would give anyone a chill before using the vile drug. It's a tad bit on the boring side at times, but at its best (which is 99% of the time) the film deserves the acclaim it has received.
Jose B. gave it a10:
The Citizen Kane of drug films. Need I say more?
