Samuel LoveOver 30 years since it was published, Irvine Welsh’s 1993 novel Trainspotting has never lost any of its power. Whether reading it, watching Danny Boyle’s film adaptation and sequel, seeing it on stage, or consuming it in the myriad other ways it has been reinvented, it remains a raw, uncompromising tale of working-class youth, Scottish identity, addiction, and self-destruction. Many documentaries and home video special features over the years have examined the legacy of the story and the tales behind its inception, so another feature-length look at Trainspotting probably isn’t something that even the most ardent fans were expecting.
Beyond Trainspotting: The World of Irvine Welsh’s USP is that it largely allows Welsh – a very funny, seasoned raconteur – to hold court with his recollections and humorous anecdotes. His trademark wit bolsters stories about his upbringing in Edinburgh and reflections on his writing and Trainspotting’s cultural impact, giving the documentary an engaging backbone. The film is built around this interview with the author. Anyone who has ever seen an interview with Welsh knows that he is a compelling storyteller, and often unpredictably hilarious.
But beyond Welsh’s involvement in Beyond Trainspotting, there’s very little here that feels like much more than a glorified DVD extra. Other interviewees don’t have a great deal to say, and their involvement in the documentary often feels a little contrived – figures like Line of Duty’s Martin Compson and former model Gail Porter offer very little, with their inclusion seemingly only down to the fact they are Scottish. Stars of Trainspotting’s big screen adaptation are included only in archive material of press junket interviews, although the film’s producer Andrew Macdonald and rock legend Iggy Pop do show up for fresh chats about the cult classic flick.
It’s unclear who this film is for. Fans of Welsh and Trainspotting will have heard all of these tales before, and despite what the title might suggest, the film doesn’t go far beyond its titular subject. Welsh’s work outside of Trainspotting is only lightly touched upon, and its coverage in the film feels superficial.
Unfortunately, Beyond Trainspotting: The World of Irvine Welsh was somewhat destined to fail by the fact there have already been plenty of retrospectives on Trainspotting. Last year alone saw a superior film released that delved deeper into the work of the maverick author. If you’re a fan of Trainspotting but have heard none of the stories behind it, you might find something to enjoy here. But if you’ve seen any of the other docs or read any of the books about the film and its legacy, you’ll find this repetitive and dull.
