Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s get started!

Trainspotting

1996

Directed by Danny Boyle

Quick synopsis… Renton and his mates cope with the highs, lows and gritty realities of heroin addiction. But when Renton finally gets clean, he can’t get away from his friends’ nasty habits — especially after they pull him into a lucrative but dangerous drug deal.

I haven’t been particularly looking forward to this one. And not because I thought it would be a bad movie or anything. I just assumed that I wouldn’t fully grasp its content. I’m not now, nor have I ever been, interested in drug culture… At least, not the way it seems to be typically portrayed in film.

Don’t get me wrong… Danny Boyle has a number of films that I thoroughly enjoy. 28 Days Later and, more recently, Yesterday come to mind. And, of course, I think Ewan McGregor is a fantastic actor. Though I may be biased due to his appearances in Star Wars.

While I can certainly sit here and claim I don’t get this film, some of it I do get. Or… I assume I do. The scene involving McGregor’s character, Renton, getting clean from heroin is incredibly disturbing and I can only imagine what real addicts are forced to experience when they’re trying to get clean. It’s hard to watch. I’m glad it’s not something I’ve ever had to live through.

And I think I’m of the general opinion that Renton’s friends pretty much suck. Spud’s not so bad… just not the brightest of bulbs. Oh, and the whole thing with Renton hooking up with an underage girl, played by Kelly MacDonald, is less than great, in my opinion.

But, hey, it’s a movie that’s beloved by critics. Just not my particular cup of tea. Having now seen Trainspotting, it currently ranks at 1,756 out of 2,277 on my personal Flickchart.

What do you think of Trainspotting? Have I not given it a fair shake? Should I try watching it again to see if I can appreciate it more? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments!