"Trainspotting" Review

Ewan McGregor stars as Mark 'Rent Boy' Renton, a youthful Edinburgh heroin addict who is on a downward spiral of drugs and crime. He frequently wants to quit, and tries to do so from time to time, but always seems to succumb to just one more hit in order to cope with what is left with his life. With his friends, he is trapped in a seedy urban underworld in spite of the efforts of his family to get him clean, even against his will. Underneath it all, however, Mark is still seeking to make more of his life, and finds himself facing a choice – staying with his friends in his familiar environment or making a complete break and starting again drug free.

Based on the 1993 Irvine Welsh novel of the same name, 'Trainspotting' is a gritty, realistic look at the world of the urban drug addict. Although the subject matter could be off-putting, in this film it is handled with surprising sensitivity, neither glamorising drug use nor condemning it. Instead of being a film about drugs, it is really about the characters, all of which are fully developed and extremely well played by an outstanding cast.

Michael x

"The Eagle" trailer

Although a big budget Hollywood film, the Scottish landscape, as detailed previously, Is heavily featured and the film is set and filmed on location in Scotland. Here is its trailer:

Michael x

Scotland v Hollywood

No matter how profound, inspiring, or thought provoking a Scottish production may be, I fear it will never be as successful as a Hollywood blockbuster.

This as you may be saying to yourself, is obvious, but WHY is it?

 The mind numbing budgets that studios such as Universal can throw around to make these loud, brash, a'woopin' and a'hollarin' films a certain success finacially. The lottery funding used to create many Scottish films is barely enough to cover the cost of attempting to make Sarah Jessica Parker look half decent which even then is pushing it...

Unfortunately, there just isnt the market overseas in my opinion for films made in Scotland, which is a shame because there is still the widespread perception, certainly that i have experienced, that we are all representative of the picture on the front of a shortbread tin.

I suppose the moral of this blog is to help a brother out and go see Scottish films!

Michael x

"NEDs" Review

Glasgow actor Peter Mullans' third foray into the world of directing, "NEDs" tells the story of the gifted schoolboy John McGill, played by newcomer Conor McCarron, as he becomes ensnared in the gang culture which was prevalent in the city of Glasgow throughout the 1970's.

 The deprivating effect that this has on his schoolwork and his relationship with his father, a violent alcoholic played by Mullan, highlights many cultural deficiencies in today’s society. The film borrows heavily from Mullans own personal experiences growing up in Glasgow and being surrounded by the violence and brutality of gang culture of the time although he admits that he himself was a mere "tourist".

The finished article however, is proof that Mullan his strived to create a visceral and powerful portrayal of life as a young man on a rough estate in the heart of Glasgow, and something as true to the times as possible. I found the film very powerful and gave a fantastic insight into the hardships of growing up in Glasgow at this time. The performances of the mainly debutant cast create well formed and believable characters and Mullans portrayal as McGill senior is harrowing.  Although just what is that ending all about?! Well worth a watch!

 Michael x

Scotlands landscape in film.

Scotland is well renowned for its stunning scenery and there has been, in my opinion, a rise in the numbers of films utilising the landscape. From big budget epics such as the recently released "The Eagle" to the relatively small cult films such as "Valhalla Rising", Scotlands expansive spaces and rolling hills feature heavily and surely this can only be a good thing.

Michael x