My Response

The main message of this film is short and simple, drugs are bad. The film shows that although drugs might seem like a fun escape ultimately the consequences dealt from the experience are not worth that momentary buzz, exhibited very well through Renton's experiences over the course of the film. The explicit manner of the film show ever detail of drug taking and portrays it in the unpleasant and unclean way it actually is. The film also depicts the hallucinations and the horrors a person might encounter when combating it's effects. All these factors build up a very convincing argument behind the main message of the film making it resonate better with the audience.

As a British film I believe this film acts as a mirror showing and criticising heavily our own society. It shows how our youth culture is mislead to believe drugs are fun and fail to actually realise how it can affect a person's life in the long run. within this film the character's fates are all directly influenced by drugs, for example spud was sent to jail and now he is out and cant get a job wonders aimlessly. Tommy, who originally was not interested in drugs like his friends, fate is one of the most hard hitting, he turned to drugs and as a result contracted HIV witch eventually lead to his death. Those character server to further deter young people from getting into drugs however for those that have already gotten into the habit Renton's character is aimed at them. Although being an addict he finds the strength to finally quit and separate himself from his former life.

I think it this film was very successful because it was a very honest portrayal of a tough subject witch other films before it dodged. The film provides alternate views on people who take drugs showing how it offers the façade of structure to their other wise aimless lives. To brake up this serious topic however the film was filed with light-hearted comedy and we come to find ourselves empathising with the main character and wanting him to find his happy ending.