Using a sort of street poetry inspired by Irvine Welsh's novel, "Trainspotting" attempts to understand the attraction heroin holds for directionless youth.

Boyle's master-stroke is to spurn the obvious route of social realism and use thrillingly abrupt changes of set, tone and mood.

Trainspotting is far from a raw documentary. But it is precisely this evasion of realism that makes it so fun.

This is a clinic of excellent acting from all involved.