🔴 Condition - Very Good 🔴

I chose not to choose life. I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?
This is a gritty and uncompromising look at the life of several heroin addicts in drug-riddled Edinburgh (although much of the film is actually shot in Glasgow). The opening diatribe sums up the mood of the film succinctly. These are young people who haven't necessarily been ensnared by the evils of heroin addiction - they have embraced it. The main character has chosen not to be like everyone else. He has chosen not to buy into the acquisitive lifestyle of the time. In the words of Timothy Leary, he has chosen to 'turn on, tune in and drop out'. The film presents a warts-and-all look at the effect that heroin has on the lives of those addicted to it, but manages to do so without simply preaching the anti-drugs gospel. On its original release, the film attracted a huge amount of critical acclaim, but an almost equal amount of condemnation for 'glamorising' the use of drugs. You can make your own mind up, but as far as I am concerned if ever I wanted to show my kids a movie to dissuade them from drug abuse - this would be it. Perhaps my only criticism of the story is that it shows everything from the abusers' perspective, with little attention paid to the innocent victims of drug addiction (those having their cars broken into, or shops looted) - although the familial impact is covered in a couple of scenes. The film is occasionally revolting yet manages to sustain a deep, dark vein of humour throughout, bar some genuinely tragic moments.
This is a seminal movie, which deserves a place in any film buff's collection.
Ewan McGregor (Star Wars Episodes I, II and III) forms the central character of the film and acts as the narrative thread tying the plot together. As Mark Renton, he is a heroin addict whose life revolves around soccer, pubs and stealing to maintain his addiction. His close friends include fellow addicts Sick Boy (Johnny Lee Miller, Plunkett & McLean) a suave lady-killer, who is an expert on all things Sean Connery, and the goofy Spud (Ewen Bremner, Black Hawk Down) who frequently relies on Renton for life-advice. From the commentary it is learned that Johnny Lee Miller is the grandson of Bernard Lee, who played M in the Sean Connery James Bond movies - witty casting there. The main characters are rounded out by Begbie (outstandingly portrayed by Robert Carlyle, Angela's Ashes) and Tommy (Kevin McKidd, Dog Soldiers). Begbie and Tommy represent two ends of the spectrum as far as mates go, with the former being an anti-drugs, violent, alcoholic psychopath who thrives on sadistic violence and the latter being a clean-cut lad, trying to keep himself fit and maintain a steady relationship with his girlfriend Lizzy (Pauline Lynch).
The film starts with an unforgettable monologue from Renton as he and his friends run through the streets of Edinburgh, trying to evade pursuing security guards, leaving a trail of stolen lucre as they belt along the road. The first half of the film shows the daily grind for the addicts, as they shoot up heroin at Mother Superior's dingy home (so named 'on account of the length of his habit'), try to pick up girls at the local disco and - in Renton's case - try to finally kick the heroin habit. The film takes a mature approach to drug abuse and the story bravely points out that whilst the lads are enslaved by their addiction, they do it because it feels good - as Renton says 'What people forget is the pleasure of it - we wouldn't do it if it wasn't enjoyable. After all we're not f***ing stupid'. The early part of the film is frenetically paced, with scenes of hugely black comedy interspersed with the deeply sad and depressing degeneration of the addicts as they follow a downward spiral of addiction.
The second half of the film follows Renton's escape to London where he manages to establish a new life for himself as a real-estate agent. His newfound freedom - from heroin and Scotland - is short-lived however, as the fugitive Begbie (now wanted for armed robbery) appears uninvited on his doorstep. He is soon joined by Spud and Sick Boy, and they hatch a plan to make a major drug deal. The second half of the film is not quite as visually striking as the first, and is generally less comedic as the boys' friendship splinters and every man begins to fend for themselves.