Trainspotting Analysis

Trainspotting is a very strong example of a 'British Social Realist Drama'. It follows a story of five main characters (Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Tommy, and Spud) which explore the drug-based underworld of Glasgow. Renton, Sick Boy, and Spud are all addicted to herion, while Begbie is an alcoholic, and Tommy is 'straight-edge', for the moment.

The lighting is very naturalistic, which is a common convention throughout the genre of Social Realism, as it emphasises the dark, dull atmosphere, reflecting the mood, otherwise known as pathetic fallacy.

The editting is fairly naturalistic, apart from the title effects, and the camerawork tends to follow Renton and Spud, as they collapse from the effect of the heroin. Also it follows the chase, at the beginning, from the front, giving a view of the chase, so that you can see Renton's face. Whilst all of the characters are getting ready to take the 'hit', there are a frequent number of 'over the shoulder' shots, following pointless, nervous conversation.

The sound is mainly narration from Renton, about his and his friends' addiction to heroin, attempting to justify how it isn't as pitiful as other things, whilst, he is telling the viewer to "choose life" and many other things, opposed to heroin, despite being in the midst of taking a 'hit'. and there is 'Lust for Life' by Iggy Pop played, which is ironically appropriate to Renton's message to the audience, and completely condratictory to what they're doing.

The mise en scene, is very dark and negative, with an essence of happiness, as all of the characters are feeling very positive, which creates a false element of happiness within the mise en scene, which, of course, is completely ironic.