What made Trainspotting so special?
We take a look back at Danny Boyle’s classic, as it heads towards its 20th birthday…
This article originally appeared onDen of Geek UK.
Trainspotting, by Irvine Welsh, was first published in 1993.
Like Iain BanksThe Wasp Factorybefore it,Trainspottingsucceeded in delighting as many critics as it appalled.
As, of course, has the 1996 movie adaptation, now 20 years old.
Both were enthused by the prospect of making it into a film.
Having had free reign on the original storyline forShallow Grave, adaptation proved difficult.
There was no way to include all of the book, and the three agreed some chapters were unfilmable.
Thus, three chapters of the book make it into one short scene.
Its silly, yet not totally wrong.
The book is longer, more brutally realistic.
Begbie is certainly more monstrous, but then so is everyone.
Yet this is an important part of the films appeal.
These are then undercut with both horror and an increased realism as Renton approaches choosing life.
Casting directors Gail Stevens and Andy Pryor should also be lauded for their work.
Begbie and Spud went on to be amongst their best-remembered roles.
A lot of what makesTrainspottingwork is the time it was made.
This seems as good a time as any to mention how good Danny Boyle is at cinema.
Different people get very different things from it but it succeeds in deliberately being many things.
The choice to exaggerate reality means it can be both outlandish and grounded, fantastical and shocking.
