Trainspotting Trailer Analysis

By Nathan Brown

The trailer starts by the production company showing off its logo with a vector image of Edinburgh in the background. “Miramax” did this to promote itself and its involvement in the film. The vector image gives an immediate idea of where the film will be set. Scotland.

The first scene and glimpse of two of the main characters is them being chased by what looks to be security. We know from the extensive advertisement that the two characters in the foreground are main characters. Edinburgh landmarks are in the background again detailing their location. The fact that they’re running away from the law shows them as criminals and they don’t play by the rules. It also makes the audience questions their motives for the crime.

Here we are introduced formally to one of the main characters, Renton. He’s been hit by a car whilst making his get away from the law yet is seen hysterically smiling directly at the audience. This could be down to the adrenaline but the pale skin and unhealthy complexation connote other reasons, such as drug use. The camera is positioned as a POV of the driver making the audience really feel part of the story.

The shot is a close up of two main characters in conversation. The use of a soft focus on their faces makes it feel as if nothing else is relevant in this moment. It also connotes a sensual relationship between these two characters. Through mise-en-scene and costume we see very 90s era style like male ring earrings and wet looking hairstyles for women.

A medium range shot displays all the main male characters following after one another, denoting their commitment to each other and friendship. This shot shows off in more detail their costume and personality. For example, sick boy is dressed in a tweed suit denoting he is more of a business man/scammer whereas Renton is dressed in casual

The second main character that we’re introduced to is “Spud”, through the use of a close up we’re shown a rather comical angle and moment in the film as he’s in what looks to be a grim yet relatable toilet that hasn’t been cleaned. They used this scene as it displays how the characters will be in similar situations that their target audience have been in.

Having just been introduced to Spud the following scenes explore his character in more depth. Again they’ve used a close up shot which accentuates the pulsing veins on his forehead and sweaty scalp, connoting his drug use, this goes well with his frantic speaking and animated facial expressions. We also get a good look at his costume and how he’s attempted to dress nicely using the suit from his night out in the other scene.

Breaking the fourth wall in a way “Sick Boy” is seen, through a close up, starring right into the camera lens at the audience sticking his tongue out in a childish manner. However, this could also be done to show him trying to prove that he’s not hiding anything in his mouth like pills or other drugs. With the use of costume we see that Sick Boy is in a very rough state (messy hair and tired eyes) and because the location is the same as Spud’s we can assume that Sick Boy was also on a night out.

In this scene we’re told a lot about Renton’s and Sick Boys’ relationship together. They’re clearly good friends as they’re causing trouble together whilst dressed in outlandish attire which reflects the time period which Trainspotting is set in. As well as things like the cigarette brand and energy drink being old.

This scene simply connects the storyline and fills the trailer whilst telling the audience that the group likes to party and that the rave scene is big in Scotland.

Out of all the close ups of the main characters “Begbie” has to tell us the most about himself through one shot. His facial expression is beyond angry with veins popping out everywhere and he has a crazy look in his eye. His crooked teeth connote health in the 90’s and how seriously people took hygiene. We see Begbie as the bruiser and bully of the group.

Begbie being a bully is confirmed in the next scene as a fast cut medium range shot shows him beating an innocent man with a pool cue just for eating crisps loudly. It also shows insecurity as he is scared of embarrassment from messing up a pool shot in front of his friends.

The use of good reviews from world renowned magazines and newspapers are used to attract any part of the audience who aren’t sure about the film as this is a trusted opinion. It also reassures the audience that the rest of the film is good.

This is clearly a play on the famous picture of The Beatles who are a boy band imagined as pure and honest, which is maybe what the audience would be thinking about the main characters after this scene. However, their clothes are scrappy and the same ones they wore on a night out.