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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Trainspotting
Miramax Films


8.9

based on 29 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 43 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

MPAA 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.

GENRE(S):	Drama
WRITTEN BY:	Irvine Welsh (novel) John Hodge
DIRECTED BY:	Danny Boyle
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: March 24, 1998 Video: February 11, 1997 Theatrical: July 19, 1996
RUNNING TIME:	94 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	UK

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...

100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

It would be hard to imagine a movie about drugs, depravity, and all-around bad behavior more electrifying than Trainspotting.

100

Film.com Keith Simanton

Two of the fastest, most involving hours in recent film.

100

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]

100

Film.com Susan Rathke

Darkly humorous, intensely graphic.

100

San Francisco Examiner Barry Walters

Extraordinary, entertaining cinema.

100

Film.com Shannon Gee

Keeps you engaged in this story of a memorable anti-hero for our times.

100

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.

100

Slate Michael Wood

A desolate, fast, funny, scary film, and it takes more risks than any recent film.

Time Richard Corliss

The film is about joy--in conniving and surviving, in connecting with audiences, in its own fizzy, jizzy style.

Variety Derek Elley

Scabrous, brutal and hip, Trainspotting is a "Clockwork Orange" for the '90s.

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.

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.

USA Today Mike Clark

A movie that rudely flings feces at the breakfast table isn't for everyone.

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.

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.

Mr. Showbiz F. X. Feeney

It's a disturbing film in the best sense.

Film.com John Hartl

Ewan McGregor in a raw, funny, star-making performance.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

A must-see.

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.

Dallas Observer Arnold Wayne Jones

Creates a sense of understanding that crystallizes the essence of the drug subculture with startling clarity.

The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

The stylish irreverence of Trainspotting mimics that drug high and delivers its own potent kick.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Darkly comic tone of heroin-addiction film sets it apart

Baltimore Sun Ann Hornaday

Isn't a noble story, or even a cautionary one: It just feels pretty painfully real.

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).

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.

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.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 43 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?

Trainspotting Miramax Films

Trainspotting
Miramax Films