I've just watched this film again for the first time in a long time and though i found it 'watchable' that's about as far as I can go. I've never found that the film does the book any justice. With its flat and ridiculous characters and romanticising of narcotics, the film to me is just mildly entertaining - if unpleasant at times - crap.
The book is another story altogether. I've never read anything quite like it, and was always surprised that Irvine Welsh seemed to like the film so much. The characterisation and impetus of plot and narrative are exceptional in the book, you literally can't put it down. Whilst the book cleverly deals with an underbelly of Scottish life, the film makes me cringe to be Scottish. The book lives and breathes reality, the film seems like a David Bowie video.
The book is another story altogether. I've never read anything quite like it, and was always surprised that Irvine Welsh seemed to like the film so much. The characterisation and impetus of plot and narrative are exceptional in the book, you literally can't put it down. Whilst the book cleverly deals with an underbelly of Scottish life, the film makes me cringe to be Scottish. The book lives and breathes reality, the film seems like a David Bowie video.