Trainspotting - S11 E83

Get ready to Choose Life (and a podcast!), because Season 11 is officially here, and we're kicking off our brand-new theme of 'Drugs' movies with a true behemoth of 90s films: Danny Boyle's iconic Trainspotting (1996).

Join us as we unpack why Trainspotting has captivated audiences for decades, despite its characters being, well, mostly "assholes". We dive deep into the film's gritty depiction of heroin use – a portrayal that absolutely, objectively does not glamorize addiction, no matter what Bob Dole (who hadn't even seen it!) might have thought. We'll explore how Danny Boyle's visionary direction, heavily influenced by Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, delivers a visually experimental and energetic experience despite its heavy subject matter. You’ll hear about the famous "Worst Toilet in Scotland", which still manages to skeeve Sarah out to this day and wonder if there is "too much poo" in this movie.

We’ll dissect the infamous "Choose Life" monologue, which turns out to be far more cynical than many might initially believe. We’ll also give our two cents on the film’s unique cast, from Ewan McGregor's smug Renton, Robert Carlyle's terrifying Begbie, Jonny Lee Miller's Sick Boy, and Ewen Bremner's surprisingly pure Spud.

Here’s what you can expect from this episode:

• We discuss why Trainspotting was chosen to kick things off in season one.
• Expect a deep dive into the controversial accusations of the film "glamorizing" drug use.
• We break down the unlikable, yet entertaining, ensemble of characters including Ewan McGregor's Renton, Robert Carlyle's Begbie, and Ewen Bremner's Spud.
• We consider Trainspotting as a coming-of-age narrative, particularly for Renton.
• Hear about the infamous feud between Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor.

Season 11 runs until August 11th with 8 episodes

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 11? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-10 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube