'T2 Trainspotting' A Review

T2 Trainspotting is a dark comedy/drama, a sequel to the 1996 Trainspotting based on the Irvine Welsh novels. Mark(Ewan McGregor) returns to Edinburgh after living clean in Amsterdam for twenty years. He reconnects with Daniel "Spud"(Ewen Bremner) who has continued to struggle with heroin addiction. Mark then pays back Simon "Sick Boy"(Jonny Lee Miller) who has since forgone heroin for cocaine, inherited his aunt's bar, and also moonlights as a blackmailer with his girlfriend Veronika(Anjela Nedyalkova). After initial tensions the three renew their old friendship. Meanwhile the volatile Begbie(Robert Carlyle) escapes prison and attempts to resume his old life as a criminal. Eventually the four are reunited.

All four returning leads give outstanding performances. They wear their age well but convey the natural regret, nostalgia, and frustration that come with it. They are no longer the cocky rebels of their youth and that makes perfect sense. In some ways the events of the first film have defined these characters but they have aged with all the complicated dreaming, second-guessing, and stifled promise that can imply. They are all still the young men they were- prone to rage, duplicity, and addictive behavior- but they are fuller, reflective, more complex. The film is about adulthood where nothing is clear cut and the pure joy and certainty of youth is far behind. All four embody that in impressive and varying ways. The characters have less rebellious energy(why wouldn't they?) but more texture.

Boyle's most compelling and honest film since 2007's Sunshine the film has interesting camera flourishes and cinematic embellishments but they are all deployed with purpose and in balance, serving the story. Flashbacks and scenes from the first film fade in and out and are layered over the action in a way that does not distract but elevates the narrative making the past, so important for the characters, literally intersect with their lives. The soundtrack also is wonderful. No, the film doesn't have the same fevered, frenetic, borderline disgusting feel of the original and it is the better for it. This is not a film about twenty something junkies its about adults grappling with how to be adults. And that couldn't be more interesting and relatable.

Less edge but more soul than the original.

See It.