Opening Scenes and Characters - 'Trainspotting'

In this post I will be analysing the opening scene for Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting' and looking at how various film techniques are used to introduce the film's protagonist, Renton, and some of the film's other key characters.

In this scene we learn many things about the protagonist, Mark Renton, but also a number of the film's other key characters, such as Spud, Sick Boy, Tommy and Begbie. Danny Boyle uses a number of conventional techniques to introduce character traits, such as Renton's voiceover, but also some more unconventional techniques, such as freeze frames.

Renton is introduced as the main character; we see more shots of him than the other characters and we hear his ‘choose life’ monologue. Immediately we learn that he is reckless and nihilistic as, in his narration, he says not to choose the conventional ways of life, instead rejecting societal conventions and choosing heroin. His recklessness is shown as we see him running away from shoplifting, rolling over a car bonnet and laughing and smiling like a maniac. 

The scene then cuts to Renton in a trap house smoking, hinting at him being high, which is later confirmed when he says that he will choose heroin. His costumes and the run-down locations suggest that he lives an unconventional lifestyle. 

During the football match montage we also get introduced to other characters. 

We see that all of Renton's friends aren’t wearing matching football uniforms, unlike the other team, which suggests either that they can’t afford football kits or that they are unorganised. Sick Boy's body language, where he argues with the referee, suggests that he cannot be trusted and Tommy’s body language shows that he is often put under pressure he can't cope with. Spud is seen as being weak and inept as he cowers when the ball is being kicked into the goal, creating the expectation that he will be a victim in the film. Begbie is clearly aggressive and violent, as he is shown sliding in to tackle his opponent with both feet raised off the ground, smiling as he does so.

These character traits, which are cleverly introduced in single freeze frames, foreshadow how each of the characters acts throughout the rest of the narrative.