Trainspotting

Dir. Danny Boyle · UK, United Kingdom · English

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Our take by Neil Swank

Renton (McGregor), a Scottish twenty-something junkie, must choose to clean up and get out, or continue following the allure of the drugs and the influence of friends. Find out if he chooses life in this brutal yet entertaining Danny Boyle masterpiece. While definitely not for the faint of heart, Trainspotting still manages to be funny at times, and provides an overall very entertaining experience.

What happens

Heroin addict Mark Renton stumbles through bad ideas and sobriety attempts with his unreliable friends --Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud and Tommy. He also has an underage girlfriend, Diane, along for the ride. After cleaning up and moving from Edinburgh to London, Mark finds he can't escape the life he left behind as Begbie and Sick Boy come knocking.

What the critics said

Notable Critics

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

— Derek Elley

Awards

Oscars

1 nom

Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay

Cannes

1 nom

Nominated: Official Selection

BAFTA

3 wins · 6 noms

Won: Best Screenplay (Adapted)Won: Adapted ScreenplayNominated: Best ActorWon: Best Feature FilmNominated: Alexander Korda Award for Best British FilmNominated: Best ActorNominated: Best ActressNominated: Best WriterNominated: Outstanding British Film of the Year