Trainspotting

Three... And if it weren't for Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle, I'd take one more star off. I put off Trainspotting for a long time and I probably knew why. I've hadn’t seen it up to now and I haven't missed anything extravagant. I can listen to the soundtrack (or rather the few tolerable songs) on its own, and the story about a bunch of junkies, whose stories and catchphrases seem funny and wacky to many of my friends (similarly to the Czech Loners), but to me they just seem stupid. Shallow Grave goes unsurpassed. (16/03/2012)

I was quite curious about the resulting comparison with Aronofsky's brilliant Requiem for a Dream. Trainspotting is actually quite funny in places; on the other hand, the comedic element is counterbalanced by some really quite harsh moments. It's probably an undeniable truth that Boyle's work is more valuable in terms of "existential depth" and has a more elaborate script, but it's equally undeniable that Aronofsky is clearly the leader in terms of visuals. Even though I consider Trainspotting Boyle's best film (the hell with Slumdog Millionaire), I can't help feeling that Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream affected me many times more... UPDATE 02 Jun 2018 – Seen again after years, for the first time in proper quality on Blu-ray, and I must gladly add that fifth star. Trainspotting is a cult movie like crazy that Danny Boyle directed the hell out of. I love how it's just so funny to the point where I had to laugh out loud (the scene at breakfast with the tug-of-war over the sheets) and at the same time manages to evoke very uncomfortable feelings (the baby in the crib). And probably the vast majority will disagree with me, but I consider Trainspotting more of a comedy. A satirical, bitter, and veeeeery harsh comedy :) (06/04/2010)

Interesting film. I don't really like movies about drugs and junkies, they disgust me perhaps more than all kinds of atrocities committed against people, but here it was not presented in such a harsh way as Requiem for Dream. There was some good black humour, Ewan McGregor gave a decent performance, I enjoyed myself. 75% (03/07/2015)

Can a film that is repulsive also be beautiful? Trainspotting tells the story of human scum in such a humorous and unusual way that we end up feeling comfortable with the characters and able to tune into their addictive wave to some extent. The distinctive visuals have the most momentum and verve in the first half hour, and by the end Boyle starts to repeat himself, but the music is so perfect, the characters so original, and the scenes so iconic and entertaining (not only in execution, but also in content) that it can be watched over and over again. And Ewan McGregor is the best junkie in history. (10/03/2012)

Probably the most difficult film for me to rate that I have ever seen. On one hand, it features one of Ewan McGregor's best performances, breathtaking scenery, and for me a very interestingly depicted though unfamiliar setting. On the other hand, the second half is not surprising at all and unnecessarily obscures the original idea. As I write this review, I am left with mostly positive memories, so I'm rounding it up to a solid 70%. (10/05/2005)