T2 Trainspotting is a sequel to Trainspotting which was; let’s face it – the film of the 90s in the UK.
I grew up with Trainspotting, it’s my era, I even worked with Ewan McGregor prior to him making it big with Trainspotting. I hung around with a group of lads in the 90s. One or two were even dabbling in drugs, we all knew psycho’s like Begbie.
So, what’s the sequel like? I’d say it’s very good. Funny, sad and joyful at the same time. What most jolted me were the flashbacks to the original and how fucking young everybody looked. We’re all older now, wiser? Some of us maybe, some of us not so…
I haven’t watched the original in a long, long time. This didn’t stop me getting straight into this film and having read a lot of Irvine Welsh I was pleased that script writer John Hodge seemed to know and understand more about Irvine’s characters than the author did.
John Hodge is really the star of the production, his script is witty, wise and true to the characters and the original film – while expanding the life experience and using his imagination to work out where these characters have been for the last 20 years and how they feel about it.
Danny Boyle has talked a little about the 70s TV series ‘Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads’ as a kind of inspiration for this, and I see it. At times Ewan McGregor echoes Rodney Bewes in his bewilderment at being in his 40s, with possibly his best days behind him and an unsure future ahead.
The use of Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life is also very clever and finally an affirmation of the past and a hope for the future. Look out for the sequence between Begbie and Renton in the toilet. It’s the best acting Ewan has ever done.
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He also works as a content writer for hire and as a UK script consultant. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour