Trainspotting

Name: Trainspotting
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: July 19, 1996
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 83
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle

1996

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 602 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 602 Ratings

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Trainspotting

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: July 19, 1996 | R

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle

Summary: Renton (Ewan 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.

Director: Danny Boyle

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 94 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Trainspotting is supercharged with sulphurous humour and brutal recklessness. Read full review

100

Barry Walters

Extraordinary, entertaining cinema. Read full review

100

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

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

Jonathan Rosenbaum

A must-see. 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

Desson Thomson

The story, such as it is, follows Renton's inconsistent attempts to kick his habit. Read full review

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User Reviews

frankenstone420

Feb 9, 2013

This is the best movie. Awesome soundtrack, brilliant script, and excellent acting. Both funny and totally messed up. Arguably the best performances of all the actors in their first rolls. Cannot say that I have seen a better motion picture, it's truly Danny Boyle at his finest

7 of 10 users found this helpful73

Veridis

Jun 12, 2020

Assolutamente sublime. Attraverso dei personaggi indimenticabili e delle situazioni tal volta grottesche e comiche, il film non racconta soltanto della tossicodipendenza di un gruppo di ragazzi ma di uno spaccato di società inglese nel pieno del suo mutamento stilistico e culturale. ColonnaAssolutamente sublime. Attraverso dei personaggi indimenticabili e delle situazioni tal volta grottesche e comiche, il film non racconta soltanto della tossicodipendenza di un gruppo di ragazzi ma di uno spaccato di società inglese nel pieno del suo mutamento stilistico e culturale. Colonna sonora magistrale.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Trisolaran

Feb 19, 2022

A masterclass in character study, Trainspotting depicts the lives of heroin addicts as they struggle to distract themselves until they can get their next 'hit' with sex, mayhem, and other substances. All the characters come alive with superbly crafted dialogues and performances from theA masterclass in character study, Trainspotting depicts the lives of heroin addicts as they struggle to distract themselves until they can get their next 'hit' with sex, mayhem, and other substances. All the characters come alive with superbly crafted dialogues and performances from the entire cast, and coupled with a frantically-paced style of direction from Danny Boyle that combines apt pop music inserts with innovative dream sequences, the viewer is presented with a piercing look inside the mind of a junkie.

There were some sentiments surrounding the movie about how it glamorises drug use, but if one were to look just a little deeper it's easy to see that's not the case at all. The film pulls no punches when it comes to depicting tragic events and sickening actions from various characters due to their drug use. For that I believe this is actually the perfect anti-drug film: beneath all the humour and catchy songs, what the viewer gets is an honest and convincing depiction of what drugs do to someone, nothing more and nothing less.

Overall, an unforgettable dark comedy that expertly balances the ‘dark’ and the ‘comedy’ that will have you reeling from laughter to disgust from one scene to the next. A must-watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

AkhilK

Aug 24, 2005

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 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Atrium89

May 24, 2021

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

May 31, 2018

a definite visit..

Trainspotting Few such drug related features gets it right and the primary reason it does, is the resonance towards the practicality among these pragmatic characters whose trajectories are unpredictable and justifying; the perfect balance that every writer dreams for.a definite visit..

Trainspotting

Few such drug related features gets it right and the primary reason it does, is the resonance towards the practicality among these pragmatic characters whose trajectories are unpredictable and justifying; the perfect balance that every writer dreams for. The writing is strong, effective and confident in its own malleable bubble that isn't afraid to visit new places and tell its own story. And even though the feature is dark and inedible to encounter, the humour installed in here doesn't seem forced and instead ironically completely palpable to its tone. The chemistry and the conversations between the lead characters communicates fairly to the audience as it offers lots of mutual thing to connect easily. A smart adaptation by John Hodge; the screenwriter, keeps it short and to-the-point with perfect editing. And as far as execution is concerned, Danny Boyle has got it covered and has done some of his best work in here as a director. Ewan McGregor is convincing in his portrayal of a drug addict and is pretty much left to carry on the whole feature on his shoulder where he is supported decently by the cast. Trainspotting is a definite visit, as it redefines the genre and offers enough thought-provoking homework to the audience along with keeping them entertained throughout the course of it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Potarto72

Dec 21, 2014

I know. I know. I'm so, so sorry. This is a completely beloved film, and I absolutely hate everything about it.
Once again, I have to admit, I only got about 60% of the way through this awful film. Let me recite everything I remember.
Ewan McGregor swims into a disgusting toilet full ofI know. I know. I'm so, so sorry. This is a completely beloved film, and I absolutely hate everything about it.
Once again, I have to admit, I only got about 60% of the way through this awful film. Let me recite everything I remember.
Ewan McGregor swims into a disgusting toilet full of turds to retrieve his heroine. It's supposed to be a metaphor, but all it really is is a stomachache. I suppose it may just be a metaphor for what McGregor did when he got the lead role in this film. Next, McGregor's character Renton and one of his friends are at a park. They shoot a dog with a BB gun, so it will get angry and violently attack its owner. Why? Ha! F**k you! We just like to hurt people! Boyle isn't even trying now. Then, some guy in a bar gets kicked in the groin and gives those dumb over-acted reactions actors give when their characters get hit in the groin, which only happens in the first place because the writers are lazy as **** Anyway, I couldn't take it anymore, so I stopped watching. I've heard other reviews of the film. Apparently the heroine addicts have a friggin' baby, and it dies of thirst after being neglected. Woohoo! Movie night!
Listen, you can make a film that has horrifying imagery if your goal is to warn the audience. George Orwell understood that. Tarantino understands that. Danny Boyle? Didn't seem to understand it here. You can do it, but not when you give your film this weird comedic wrapping that Trainspotting has. It acts like a comedy, which to me, is insulting and cruel.… Expand

0 of 12 users found this helpful012

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8	#8 Best Movie of 1996
8	#8 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
5	#5 Most Shared Movie of 1996