
There are certain films that, if you see them at the right age, will never leave you. They become a part of your life in the way that favorite albums or books do. You might find yourself quoting it every now and again, or thinking about how a shot or a song choice thrilled you or opened your eyes to something new about cinema. You might not see it for a while but, when you do, it’ll make you feel like you did when you first saw it.
For me, a perfect example of that type of film is Trainspotting (1996). Whenever I see it, I feel like I’m back on the couch in my first apartment. I’m 21 years old again, around the same age as the film’s characters, and I’m having my mind blown by its lively cinematic style, killer soundtrack, and indelible performances. It’s a mixture that will always make me bob my head along like I’m at a concert before wincing as its characters face yet another setback due to their addictions. It is a combination that also makes it the Peter Pan of 1990s films, because it never gets old. (more…)