Trainspotting (1996)

Trainspotting is urban, gritty, and thanks to Danny Boyle's superb direction, a beautiful presentation of a story about reformation and maturity once you've sunk to society's lowest level.

The story revolves around Renton (Ewan McGregor), a heroin addict with a group of odd-ball friends, who harness the true humor of the movie. His fellow addicts are the James Bond-obsessed Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and the typical putz Spud (Ewen Bremner). Their daily activities involve living with the scum of society, being criminals and shooting up at their friend Allison's run down apartment, where she cares for her baby daughter, Dawn. Renton and his friends lead a blissful life of drugs and desire, with the exception of their alcoholic friend Begbie (Robert Carlyle) who gets his kicks from picking bar fights and Tommy (Kevin McKidd) who is basically whipped by his girlfriend and really likes to work out. His friends have dirty motives for the most part, but are still likable because of their diverse personalities.

Really, a lot of so-called hipsters will recommend this to pretty much anyone. It's no surprise that it has a lot of environmentally trippy scenes that sort of bend the concrete world into drug induced surrealism. But I don't credit anyone for that other than Boyle, who has already proven his skill with 28 Days Later (a fantastic zombie flick if you've never seen it). The story isn't anything too spectacular though the plot does hold some meaning and if you can get past the thick cockney accents, this is a great film to watch with your friends. Especially if they're losers druggies.