Trainspotting came out six years ago, and despite becoming a cult classic, it was not until 2002 that I finally saw this comedy-drama starring Ewan McGregor.

McGregor stars as Renton, a heroin junkie who is looking for a clean break. After a few infractions with the law, he tries to go clean and relatively succeeds, escaping his past life and his friends. However, friends will be friends, and so when he meets back up with them he is put to a new challenge, especially when they propose a deal that will be hard to pass up.

Trainspotting is strangely comical while at the same time dramatic, a great mix that director Danny Boyle pulls off brilliantly. He looks at the characters with an extreme, sarcastic critical view, yet at the same time allows them to be given sympathy for their misfortunes. Personally, I do not see how anyone could watch this movie and then want to do drugs, even though one of the lines is, "Heroin is better than sex." Trainspotting has a somewhat classic and undeniably unforgettable rehabilitation scene, where McGregor goes through withdrawal as he tries to go clean. It's so twisted and disturbing that my Health teacher even showed the scene to us in class as a demonstration of just how bad drugs can be.

Seriousness aside, though, Trainspotting has become a mini-cult classic. It has some very funny scenes, great acting from a great cast (well, Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle), and a good story. If you haven't seen it, you should.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.