Analysis of Trainspotting opening,overdose and ending scene.

Trainspotting opening scene analysis.

Trainspotting is a 1996 British black comedy, that is directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald . The film is based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh; the film was released in the United Kingdom on 23 February 1996.

In the opening scene of trainspotting we see Renton and spud running down the road, the camera movement and music merge together to match the action on screen. The music immediately starts playing once we see a low angled shot of our characters feet; this could link to how upbeat the characters lifestyle in their opinion. Furthermore when we see the car hit Renton is could be double meaning as throughout the narrative he talks about having a career, so, the car could signify the barrier of drug addiction that stops him having all the stuff mentioned. the positioning of the two characters could suggest that Renton is always one step ahead of the others , this in some ways foreshadows the future.

Additionally, the voice over completely juxtaposes what’s happening on screen. For example, a tracking shot is used to show the characters running away after being caught shoplifting while the voiceover says “choose a career, choose a family..”. Irony is also used when the narrative voice says choose health but then a mid-shot is used of Renton smoking and passing out. However there is a point where the narrative voice matches what we see, but it does not show the protagonists it shows the opposing team. This could suggest that this team is everything they are not.

   

The props used in this film tend to be destroyed, the needles are dirt and shared ,this is related to when the film was set as there was an AIDS academic that spread massively due to sharing needles, in some ways the film was an insight to what was happening behind closed doors of people’s homes. Even the setting  shown using a long-shot of Renton which allows us to clearly see his surroundings ,it was often dull and destroyed for example the house they all live in has holes in walls and the lighting in the film is never bright , it gives a very bleak and depressing atmosphere ,this is how their lives seem too.

The film is based on a drug addict who attempts to quit a numerous amount times and then eventually gets his life together, until his friends involve him in a drug deal.  Trainspotting follows a linear structure; the film juxtaposes plenty of ideas. For example, at the beginning of the film the character Tommy is represented as good, he doesn't take drugs and has a stable relationship/home; however towards the middle this good character is juxtaposed with a bad character in what he turns into i.e. a drug addict in terrible living condition. This theme is used yet again in the same way but instead with the character Mark, his persona changes from bag to good, these two representations contrast against each other.


In the beginning of the overdose  scene we see the scene transition by our may character/narrative jump into shot this could imply something unexpected is going on the horizon. As the scene continues we get a close up of the injection going into his skin as it is a close up we get the idea it is a key moment, we also see blood at this moment this implies that his in danger. This is then followed up with a shot inside the injection when we see the dirt being sucked into his bloodstream. All of these moments builds tension as one by one we learn something is going to go wrong, although we are unaware on what the outcome will be.  We are then seen a close up of him lying on the red rug that indicates danger yet again, which falls into the ground , it looks like his buried into the ground like a coffin this signifies death. The scene is confusing for the audience as it is like we also have taken the drug and seeing what he is seeing, we know it’s not real because when the taxi driver puts him outside the hospital the rug is not there, this needed to be done to make it explicit that he's not actually wrapped in the rug.

In the end scene the soundtrack started playing when Renton's plan was in action, it become more upbeat when it becomes more tense which could mirror the audience and the protagonists adrenaline. Once left the hotel ,there is a use of a sidewards shot, this implies that something isn't right.


The ending scene directly mirrors they beginning scene , however it opposes what it is said in the voiceover as in the opening scene Renton says he chooses not to choose life

but now he says he chooses all the things previously said. The cinematography also links to before as a tracking shot is used in the scene before too, although this time Renton isn't running his walking which may foreshadowhis settled down future in which he is talking about. Additionally, the lighting is bright which could connote to happiness and a brighter future.