Smart, funny, sickly and sometimes just plain unconscious, Mark Renton is a hero of our times. Set in an underbelly of Edinburgh the city fathers never dreamed of, this is the story of Mark and his so-called friends a bunch of losers, liars, psychos, thieves and junkies. This tragi-comedy charts the disintegration of their friendship as they proceed, seemingly inevitably, towards self-destruction.

Mark alone has the insight and opportunity to escape his fate but does he really want to "choose life"? On and off heroin, he continually weighs the pros and cons of straight living: "car, career, family, fucking big television, washing machines, compact disc players, electrical tin openers, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, starter home, leisurewear, and a choice of sweaters..." When he breaks it all down, choosing life doesn''t seem all that promising and he''s off to the next scheme and score.

Directed by
Danny Boyle

Cast
Ewan McGregor - Mark Renton
Ewen Bremner - Spud
Jonny Lee Miller - Sick Boy
Kevin McKidd - Tommy
Robert Carlyle - Begbie
Kelly MacDonald - Diane
Peter Mullan - Swanney
James Cosmo - Mr Renton
Eileen Nicholas - Mrs Renton
Susan Vidler - Allison
Pauline Lynch - Lizzy

Production Co.
Figment Films
Noel Gay Motion Picture Co
Film Four Limited

Produced by
Andrew Macdonald

Studio
Miramax Films

Writer
Irvine Welsh
John Hodge

Music
Iggy Pop
David Bowie