Year: 1996
Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: Irvine Welsh, John Hodge
Starring:
Ewan McGregor
Ewen Bremner
Jonny Lee Miller
Kevin McKidd
Robert Carlyle
…
Time: 84 min.
Genre: Drama
Another great movie from the guys who did “Shallow Grave”. It’s based on the brilliant Irvine Welsh book of the same name. Mark Renton is a junkie totally addicted to heroin. He hangs out with some other Scottish low lives. They talk, get stoned, drink, steal and get into trouble. It’s an odd life, but they enjoy it. Sick Boy is Renton’s best bud, even though they’re always arguing. The Boy’s a chick magnet who’s obsessed by Sean Connery. Spud’s a good guy. He likes dope, and he’ll get involved in any illegal business, but he wouldn’t do any harm to anybody. That’s the opposite of Begbie, one badass son of a bitch. Begbie thinks that his junkie mates are idiots, but he’s way crazier than them. He drinks, fights and talk loud. He likes beating people for no reason. Tommy’s the most sober guy in the bunch. He doesn’t take drugs, drinks only on special occasions, he has a steady girlfriend, he plays sports… But events will change him, for the worse. What about Renton? He’s often reserved, but he’s probably the smartest of the gang. He’s the only one who will really try to get rid of his addiction.
The script is very original and inventive. Every situation is surprising. The story takes us to some territory rarely explored by movies, mostly inside a junkie’s mind, but also in a toilet! Danny Boyle’s direction is fantastic. The film has a very stylish look. It’s full of dazzling camera angles and of expert cinematography. The cast is formed of unknowns, but they’re very good, especially Ewan McGregor, who will probably become a huge star. The soundtrack is excellent, one of the best I’ve heard. The music fits the action very well. Altogether, it’s a totally entertaining film; it’s pure fun from the first to the last scene.