Trainspotting

‘I'm gonna be just like you. The job, the family, the fucking big television.‘ What a film. I’ve seen it before but it was a year ago now, and its one of those things where the older you are the better an understanding you grasp of it. I loved hearing Pulp on the soundtrack and the camera work was AMAZING - I really want to know how they shot the scenes in the drug limbo. Ewan McGregor is just phenomenal as Renton, and the fact he goes from this to Obi Wan Kenobi…who would’ve thought. He plays the role so well I couldn’t ever imagine anyone else playing Renton, its ineffable.  As much as I love Renton’s character, there’s something fascinating about Bigby. I don’t like him. But although it is the main aspect, this film isn’t just about heroin addiction - its about overall addiction. Addiction is a fundamental part of us that may manifest in ways that aren’t socially acceptable like drugs, or ways more like Bigby’s addiction. He views himself as more socially acceptable and better for not doing drugs, yet his addiction is on the same peripetaic level as theirs, constantly looking for a fight with no regard for strangers and their wellbeing.  I also find it interesting that Mark’s wallpaper in his childhood bedroom is trains. The title of the film supposedly links to the fact that heroin users will call the scars left on their arms ‘tracks’, but I like the idea that it shows addiction will feel like gain in the moment only for you to find out it is loss. In this instant, the loss is Renton’s childhood - as a kid there would’ve been so many important passions to him, such as trains, but drugs will consume not just your present, but your past and future as well - you become out of touch with your childhood with every hit you take. I will be buying the book (and will hope I can decipher the writing in a Scottish accent thing going on)