TRAINSPOTTING

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Trainspotting is a film about a group of friends who are inclined to drugs. They are drug addicts who live in the same apartment, go to clubs and have drug sessions because of different reasons. Mark Renton decided to quit heroin but suffers from withdrawal symptoms and went to a club when he realized his sexual desires became strong and went out with a girl. He realized that the girl he met was still a school girl, he tried to cut ties with the girl but he was only blackmailed. Mark and his friends started using heroin again and were met with many unfortunate incidents.

            One of their “flatmates”, Allyson, found her infant dead without anyone noticing. Mark and Spud were then captured by the police for stealing. Spud was put to jail when Mark was able to avoid it by entering a rehab. Mark Renton also almost died from overdose; he was then taken home by his family and forced him to undergo withdrawal. He experiences sever withdrawal symptoms and overcomes it.

            He moved to London to start a new life and found a job as a property agent. But later on Begbie and Sick boy showed up at his apartment expecting to move in. one of their friends, Tommy, died from an illness and they went back to attend his funeral. Sick boy then suggested a drug transaction that would bring in a lot of money. The transaction was made but Mark was hesitant to be associated with drugs again. They made the transaction and went to a pub to celebrate but Begbie beat a man who spilled bear all over him. While the others were sleeping, Mark Renton decided to run away and take the money with him, on his way out, he notices that Spud was actually awake and quietly went out. Spud never told the others about what happened. Mark Renton vowed to live a stable life with goals.

The film presented disturbing issue of the society in a funny way. It may be projected like this in order to take things in a lighter note but still emphasizing on the seriousness of the matter. The film presents a youth subculture, a subculture in poverty and crime. It presented poverty because the group of friends relied on stealing or using drugs in order to make money. They are always connected to making crimes and getting in trouble.
The film is also a portrayal of freedom of expression. The issue of the society in crimes and poverty were addressed in the film. They elaborated on the issue that time and made many people more aware of the things happening in their surroundings. It discussed a sensitive issue which is a difficult and problematic issue.

The film used music and framing to establish and emphasize the films effectiveness. The music treatment used pop music that is repetitive that makes it hypnotic and addicting as a mood setter. For example was when Mark Renton was going through his withdrawal symptoms, they used a certain background music and was on repeat the whole time. It felt addicting and disturbing while it was used during that scene. Framing treatments were also effective in establishing the scenes. In the scene of the withdrawal it used a lot of zooming in and out and close- ups to emphasize the event and to add disturbing focuses.

The end of the film still had a good resolution that reflects the attitudes of the characters. It shows how a person who wants to change can actually succeed and achieve the kind of change they want. It provides a good ending maybe to show a lighter note, that even a sensitive issue of the society can be resolved.