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 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 484 Ratings

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8.9

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8.9	Your Score
8.9	User Score Universal acclaim based on 484 Ratings

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Trainspotting

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: July 19, 1996

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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Awards & Rankings

6	#6 Best Movie of 1996
8	#8 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
5	#5 Most Shared Movie of 1996

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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

San Francisco Examiner - Barry Walters

Extraordinary, entertaining cinema. Read full review

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. 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

Chicago Reader - 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

Washington Post - Desson Thomson

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

SEE ALL 28 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

LuiggiR.

Feb 16, 2007

Truly an epic film. The soudtrack itself was amazing. All characters were well developed and interesting. A real out of the body experience.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

coxyclan

Apr 11, 2013

The best british film i've ever seen and should be shown to all teenagers as an anti-drug film. Brilliantly filmed and acted, this showed to true potential of Danny Boyle.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

Iky009

Sep 16, 2015

Trainspotting is certainly one of the biggest independent films of all time, there is nothing that compares to this masterpiece, which often shows a mild form, but even more frightening, the devastating causes of drug abuse.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StaticSpine

Aug 10, 2014

Pretty cool and stylish movie with some awkwardly stupid moments. It's all about addiction. Sometimes the movie is disgusting and disturbing, sometimes it is funny. The cast and filming are really nice.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Ralfbergs

Jun 23, 2017

I can definitely see why this is one of those cult movies - it has that realistic vibe to it and basically talks about really serious things, but at the same time it has comedic elements and even though you feel disgusted with all the narcotics and heroin they are taking, the movie draws youI can definitely see why this is one of those cult movies - it has that realistic vibe to it and basically talks about really serious things, but at the same time it has comedic elements and even though you feel disgusted with all the narcotics and heroin they are taking, the movie draws you in with it's storyline… 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 5 users found this helpful05

SEE ALL 37 REVIEWS