Danny Boyle’s Oscar-nominated Trainspotting marks its 25th anniversary since opening in theaters in North America in 1996.

I watched the film for the first time a few days before the film’s anniversary. This is honestly one of those films that people will either like or don’t like. The film may have become a cult classic but it focuses on heroin culture. Additionally, there’s a focus on the poverty in the Edinburgh area. Maybe Trainspotting has more of an appeal for those from the United Kingdom? I just found myself having a hard time connecting with it during the rather quick hour and a half run time. However, one can’t help but notice the film’s soundtrack.

In a way, it’s not surprising that the film ended up with Miramax. At this point in time, they had released films from both Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith. I mean, this film was even being called the British Pulp Fiction! From a cultural standpoint, Miramax was the studio that you wanted when it came to releasing independent features at the time. Obviously, there’s the elephant in the room but that just goes without saying.

John Hodge adapted Irvine Welsh’s novel and his screenplay earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. However, the film is notable for launching a few careers. In particular, that of Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald. McGregor starred in this film a few years before a little known film called Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? On the Once Upon a Time front, it’s quite possible that we wouldn’t have seen Robert Carlyle crush it as Rumpel if not for his work in this film. The rest as they say is history.

Whether or not Trainspotting is for you, one should be able to acknowledge the fact that this film launched a few careers. Of course, the film might not happen if Boyle doesn’t break through a year earlier with Shallow Grave. His first film won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film!

DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle
SCREENWRITER: John Hodge
CAST: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, and Robert Carlyle, and introducing Kelly Macdonald

Miramax released Trainspotting in theaters on July 19, 1996.