 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Trainspotting
- Review Date: October 13, 2005
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 1995
Common Sense Media says
Graphic look into heroin addiction. Not for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is, at its core, the story of a group of friends held together largely by their shared addiction to heroin. Much time is spent simply on presenting sounds and images meant to simulate either the euphoria of heroin highs or the wretchedness of heroin withdrawal. Violence is also present in their behavior of the friends, including fistfights and fights with blunt instruments and broken glass, which often have no motivation and can get quite bloody. The dialogue is almost wall-to-wall obscenities, although the Scottish tongue is often hard for Americans to understand. A baby dies due to the neglect of his heroin-addicted mother. Sex is discussed and displayed openly.
What's the story?
Tracking the exploits of a group of friends in Edinburgh, Scotland, TRAINSPOTTING is narrated by main character Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor). The film covers the roller coaster-like cycles of heroin addicts, alternately cleaning out and retracting back into the comfort of their addiction. In the final third, the focus shifts to the interpersonal politics amongst Renton and his friends as they attempt to earn a sizeable amount of money through a risky heroin deal, showing how even when the heroin isn't running Renton's life through addiction, his friends function as a negative drain on him.
Is it any good?
McGregor's performance, along with Robert Carlyle's as Renton's psychotically violent friend Begbie, made big enough impressions to bring both actors many other choice roles in the wake of Trainspotting's success. It also elevated director Danny Boyle's profile, making it possible for him to undertake some bigger-budget films in subsequent years.
For a unique, consummately entertaining, and yet utterly harrowing look into the life of heroin addicts, Trainspotting offers open-minded viewers an unforgettable experience. However, this film is wholly inappropriate for kids.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what gives this movie cult film status. Do you think it sensationalizes drug addiction or gives an accurate picture? How well does the film balance the euphoric visions of heroin highs with the low moments of addicts being driven to steal, hurt others, etc.? The narrator seems to present himself as in control of his actions, but is he really? Is his final betrayal of his friends warranted? Do we feel that he has truly changed his ways at the close of the film?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Trainspotting A Harsh Reality Of What Life Can Become!
I believe that Trainspotting is an absolutely amazing film that show's the true to life consequences of part taking in hard drug abuse. Yes the film is based on heroin user's but the film portrays Renton's struggle to break away from the addiction and show's us how hard it is, how he loses his family, how he has to betray his friends all in the goal of becoming clean. Showing this film teenagers is essential as they would be to afraid to even part take in drugs as it shows how much it can corrupt your life. This will torture teenagers that think drugs are cool or a joke as this is a film from the eye's of a junkie not an examination of a junkie
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AGE
Herion Turn-Off
I think it gives teenagers great insight into how bad herion withdrawl is, and is in fact relaying the message that herion is bad. I think it would be good for teenagers to see this movie.
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AGE
Hellza Good
I throughly enjoyed this movie the first time I watched it; I perceived it as a black comedy myself. Although it was about drug use, I think it is okay for kids my age to watch because it puts drug use into perspective, but not in a drill-into-your-head way. Also it is a cult favorite, so many references might be made to it in other productions, and I believe that it is important to understand them.
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AGE
PARENTS BEWARE!!!
My daughter talked me into watching this movie when she was about 17, she LOVED it. Little did I know that it was because she thought shooting heroin was "cool."
This movie is very disturbing and a very accurate account of how heroin addicts live, think, etc. I didn't think it was "cool," but scenes from it flashed back in my mind as my daughter started struggling with her own heroin addiction... Parents BEWARE!!!
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AGE
Reality Check
I disagree with the icons above and would say that this movie, when veiwed in the appropriate company, is very educational.
Out of all the hollywood movies I have seen, Trainspotting depicts the most realistic and eye-opening portrail of not only drug use but the life that comes with it. If this movie doesn't discorage someone from heroin or other drug use it probably will at least educate them to foresee the warning signs of when things are going to get really bad so they can get professional help.
To all those saying the movie is not educational, trust me those D.A.R.E. Campaigns and other similar programs get totally ignored by the people that are most at risk from a life of drug abuse. Go to a harm reduction forum if you don't believe me.
Maybe that's why my country doesn't have significant drug related problems that America is facing half due to it's short sighted no-tolerance policies.
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AGE
Awesome!
I watched this movie at that age. It is an extremely educational movie which teaches kids about heroin and how bad it is. This movie will definitely make kids not want to try heroin. The sexual content is explicit but in the 21st century children are exposed to sex like this a lot in movies, television shows and believe it or not a lot of kids will at that age have looked at adult content. Kids are exposed to swearing at school at the age of about 10 and up kids swear using all sorts of profanities almost all the time when not around adults. The soundtrack is great.
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AGE
ok to tell you the truth i dont know anything about this movie BUT i saw it had a red on sex violence and more! yay god i love today rants rants and more rants! ANYWAY ok you see sex no problem watch it before your kids then watch it with them and tell them when to turn around and when not to AND there is an age when they get curiose and when they do maybe once "forget" about them JUST ONCE turn around and act suprised like oh.... i forgot you were there.... it doesnt have to be suprised..but thats about all i got for ranting...today anyway...until next time! see yall tomorrow *laughs out loud*
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AGE
Catalyst to a lot of interesting debates
Very good and thought-inducing portrayal of the drug world, and not a bit as extreme as popular opinion tends to call. A powerful catalyst to lots of interesting debates, and positive for a mind-forming teenager.
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AGE
Danny Boyle's masterpiece is excellent, but full of drugs.
"Trainspotting" is one of the few movies that make you understand how a "bad person" feels, without being glorifying.
Mark Renton is a drug addict, and everything is told from his point of view. At some parts he says what a great feeling the consume is, on the other hand we see many disantvantages, too. Even though he seems to be in control from the first moment, in the end, Mark is a lonesome guy who fights his endless fight agains addiction. He does not realise how things get out of control, how his friends - except Spud - only use him and how addicted he really is. Ewan McGregor does a great job as Mark Renton, the Oscar-nominated script is excellent, the cinematography and some scenes overall are just superb and the soundtrack - a mix of rock and eurodance - is great.
There is a detailed scene where we see three couples (?) having sex at the same time (i'm not a person who says sex is a big deal, but i want you to know before showing this to your child).
There is an INCREDIBLY big amount of drugs in the movie and it is extremely detailed. We see needles with Heroin being injected, drug dealing, hallucinations, one "horror trip" (it is not too frightening, but we see Mark is very scared and in panic). Really, the drugs are lengthy, and you see all of the things relate such as hallucinations, incontinence (gross!) and the addiction.
However, it is depicted neutral. We see some disadvantages, but also it is mentioned to be a great feeling.
But it is not glorifying, either.
Know your child about the drugs.
There is very strong and very frequent language.
The movie is nowhere meant for younger viewers, strictly for older teens and adults.
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| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Danny Boyle |
| Cast: | Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1995 |
| DVD release date: | June 1, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | graphic heroin use and resulting depravity, strong language, sex, nudity and some violence |
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