The film Trainspotting (1996), which was based on the book of the same name, was about a group of drug addicts in the depressed areas of Edinburgh (Böckenfeld). It follows the lead character, Mark Renton, and his friends as they explore the urban areas of Edinburgh which are plagued with poverty and squalor. Although the film was mainly about the highs and lows of drug addicts, their circle of friends, lies and deceit, the film had a number of economic themes which were very historic.
One thing that was a bit awkward about the film was how the main character Renton had to narrate the entire story (Böckenfeld). This meant that he spoke about himself in third person with emphasis on some ellipsis, and it signaled on his dual role. A subjective point of view for the story gave it a hint of realism, and it emphasized Renton’s resilience towards the end of the film because the audience stayed with him during the motions. This kind of view from Renton’s perspective further isolates him as a character, maybe one who can represent the writer Welsh. He went through a difficult struggle in life, and although he was the main character in the story, he was not the leader of the gang. He was someone who was lower down in the ranks, which makes the story, coming from his perspective, quite unique. The style in which the narrator told the story also gave the audience a limited view which was seen in the perspective of Renton.
Near the beginning of the film, it spoke of how heroin had robbed Renton of his sex drive. This could mean that the drug-infested urban area of Edinburgh was brought down as a community because of drugs. The fact that people in the area were caught up in all of these negative acts and illicit drugs could have been representative of how the community is plagued by all of these problems. Although Renton did want to let go of his habit, he had a hard time doing so, this was sort of like an economic struggle. His sex drive returned after taking heroin in the form of a suppository. The character suffered from explosive diarrhea during this time, though it was not something that phased him. It showed that his sex drive did return after he stopped injecting himself with heroin, although when his sex drive did return it was said that it came back “with a vengeance” (Hemingway 324). Everything was going okay, he brought a girl home and things were seemingly looking up. However, he finds out that the girl was actually underage and that her “flatmates” were her parents. Shocked by this, he tried to get away, but instead gets blackmailed. Things were not getting better, in fact the story becomes a bit more complicated, and his “escape” from the clutches of the drugs was not successful. The mis-en-scene of the film is reflective of his drug use. When the shots were of flashbacks depicting drug use, he would be seen in bare rooms with dirty, filthy floors and the elements within the scene would look dark and depressing. However, when he chose to sober up and move to his flat, the furniture was brighter and the space seemed more alive. The fullness of these elements made him seem more optimistic, and the contrast showed that there was hope in his choice.
The film was praised for being a new standard in Scottish films, and this was because of the use of non-conventional methods (Böckenfeld). The story was dark and the characters were far from lovable. The story started out in the middle of the plot which could have caused quite some confusion. The fact that the narrator was speaking to the audience directly gave it a feel of realism. This kind of realism was needed to support such a story with a theme that is real. Not only is drug use and the dangers of addiction an important theme in the film, but the struggle for life and for money. The character development was a major part in bringing the story to life. At the start of the film, you could notice Renton’s sluggishness and his body language was far from what it was nearing the end of the film. You can see a clear contrast in characters from the beginning to the end of the film, which shows how the drug use did take over Renton’s life.
The story shows a quick recap of Renton’s life before the point of his slow climb to sobriety (Paget 129). It showed how he struggled, stealing for drugs, going through withdrawal and all the madness in between. In reiterates the difficulties that people face in these depressed areas. After this first sequence, the audience is shown Renton’s life and the struggles of addiction. It was as if he knew what he would get himself into, but it was the life that he chose to live. It shows that Renton had to go through these series of events before he decides to sober up (Hemingway 324). Although this is one myth that a number of people believe about drug addiction – it is not true. People do not have to hit rock bottom before they get any better, or before they start looking for a way out. However, in terms of the economy, it can hold some truth. Studies show that great powers will eventually fall after hitting a certain point. For example, the Greek and Roman empires were so large that there was eventually no control over any of the generals in the conquered lands, which lead to the collapse of the empires. The reverse is also applicable, where a certain country could be doing so bad, that there is nowhere to go but up. This cycle is seen present in China as the country now climbs its way from “developing” to superpower. After years of struggling with their GDP, China is now seen to take control over a large portion of the world market, and talks over controlling OPEC. While this has nothing to do with Transpotting, the representation of sobering up could be something that Edinburgh was going through at that time in terms of money, social standing and the economy.
Drug use was the main theme of the story, but there are also underlying themes which are connected (Böckenfeld). The characters who were involved in using drugs had their lives revolve around heroin. However, the ones that are not seen using also have their lives in one way or another affected by these events. The drugs are the bane in society that hinders everyone from moving forward. Renton, the lead character, found out halfway, and therefore wanted out. Although it was a difficult transformation, he did want to leave the life of drugs behind. This kind of attitude shows resilience, which was another resounding theme in the story.
The film also explores that attitude of the working class, which was seen in the mis-en-scene of the film during the times that Renton stayed with his folks. This was portrayed in Renton’s family (Hemingway 324). He chose to stay with his family rather than going into an institution which can help him. The way that the film depicts his family is stereotypical of the working class and how they seemed to have indifference when it came to drug use, the way they dressed and how their home looked shoed much of this. Most people would be too afraid to approach their parents for help if they were suffering from an addiction problem, but Renton would readily go to his parents’ house. His mother and father were shown as sloppy people, eating and smoking in front of the television, dressed down and speaking in a less than cultured way. This family attitude shows that they did care about him, but their lifestyles were also to be questioned. The mother seemed even a bit pleased with Renton being back home, as he smiled and said he was a trouble maker but they still loved him (Paget 129). She would mention times that he would get into trouble, the instances of overdose and how she had to take care of him. Most mothers would not reminisce so fondly on these events, yet she almost seemed pleased to have to take care of him all the more because he had an addiction problem. Although this wasn’t the lowest part of society, it was still in a depressed area, which could mean that Renton’s parents represented the stereotypical family which showed indifference towards drugs or their socio-economic standing.
An interesting part in the movie was during the scene where they were shoplifting CDs. This was when the poem of “Choose Life” was recited (Hemingway 324). This had a special significance in the film because it not only spoke about drugs, it talked about economic standing. One great thing about this part is how the shots were taken. They were jarring, fast-cut and they came from all different angles. This reiterated the theme of drug use and how moods can swing so easily. The film, being in the perspective of the once-addict Renton, shows how his emotions can also be jarring, scary and fast-paced. Another interesting thing about this scene is the narration - the fact that you can choose life means that you are in control over what is happening around you. This was something that Renton knew, but he still chose to steal things for a quick fix. The entire monologue revolved around material things that people would readily use to define class. It mentioned things like “chose a career, choose a big television, choose cars, etc.” (Paget 129). This meant that he believed that people could achieve a better life, one that was without drugs, addiction, stealing and economic depression. In this piece of poetry, the dilemma of the character can be found. He does not talk about getting high, wanting to sober up or anything. What he talks about is money and his social standing. His dilemma as a character is revealed, and all he wants is a comfortable life where he can have the things that he wants.
The film entitled Trainspotting was more than just about drugs and the high life. The mis-en-scene of the film showed Renton’s struggle towards sobriety which was reflective of the time Edinburgh was going through an economic crisis. The elements of the scene during Renton’s drug use contrasts with the sober Renton. This is similar to how he developed as a character from an addict to a sober man. The narration of the story how it was limited and restrictive also played a role in supporting the resounding theme of economic crisis. Throughout the film, Renton, as a character showed resilience and self-efficacy.
Works Cited
Böckenfeld, Jens. Does' Trainspotting'glorify drug abuse?. GRIN Verlag, 2013.
Hemingway, Judy. "Contested cultural spaces: exploring illicit drug-using through Trainspotting." International Research in Geographical & Environmental Education 15.4 (2006): 324-335.
Paget, Derek. "Speaking out: the transformations of Trainspotting."Adaptations. From Text to Screen, Screen to Text. Eds. Deborah Cartmell and Imelda Whelehan. London and New York: Routledge (1999): 128-140.
