Ecstasy

Even if no one tells you, that the novel this is based on is by the same author who wrote "Trainspotting", you'd get that after a couple of minutes for sure. It's too early to really tell, but Ewan McGregor this ain't. Still the central performance is really good and you get the ever beautiful K. Kreuk.

Story-wise you shouldn't expect much. Very predictable and some cliché scenes, with a bad guy who relishes in his role, but almost gets underplayed by the characters inabilities. Our main character is as mostly in this cases one of his own worst enemies. Decent little thriller that has all the right ingredients, but never fully takes off

I recently watched this film at the Vail Film Festival. This story is about, well.... it's in the title. I was not sure how I would take this at first being fearful that it would be a Trainspotting knockoff. I was very pleased that even though it is about drugs like Trainspotting, it has a unique story that stands on it's own two feet. I do fee that the first act dragged a little before the story really began moving. I have seen other reviews from old people (me being not too young myself) complaining that this should have been a nostalgic piece or should contain dub-step tracks... that is complete rubbish. I am a fan of most Genre's of EDM but I feel the tunes in this film fit very well. Other than some minor editing choices, this film delivers a great love/human story... no spoilers here. I am a fan of Trainspotting, It's all Gone Pete Tong, Go and Groove. I feel this story fits nicely into these films as far as content/story go. I hope you enjoy it too and I am excited for it to come to America.

I saw this in Toronto at the North by Northeast (NXNE) festival. It took me back to my university days in England when I attended a few all night raves and witnessed some of the prevalent drug culture that surrounds such events. The cinematography and music was just right and made you feel that you were inside the dance clubs experiencing the atmosphere and excitement. I enjoyed the performances of Adam Sinclair, Carlo Rota and Billy Boyd who all played opposing neurotic characters. The movie highlighted the temporary perceived highs of ecstasy while showing how the reality of life can be a real downer. After watching the movie it made me appreciate all the work that was undertaken behind the scenes to get the funding and cast together which took over a decade!

I wasn't sure if I would like the movie as I was a huge fan of Trainspotting and also Welsh's work but it totally blew me away. Hayden's direction manages to convey a real sense of the brutal underworld involved in the drug culture while unfolding the rather unconventional love story at the same time. Great performances from Sinclair and Kreuk but Billy Boyd simply stole the show for me (think Spud from Trainspotting meets Donkey from Shrek).Having read the book I think that Hayden and McCafferty eloquently captured the essence of the book and incorporated some really touching emotional scenes with Lloyd and his dying father, adding a slightly softer side to the movie. I'll be going to see this again and again and predict that it becomes as big a success as Trainspotting.

Well...I went to the premier, I felt older and uglier than everyone else there, I had huge expectations due to the Irvine Welsh endorsement of the project, and the knowledge Trainspotting was and is the king of UK indie films , so I was set up for a miserable cold rainy Tuesday evening in South East London and remembering that the last time I walked through the doors of the Ministry of Sound, I only managed to stay in there for about 20 minutes before being ejected..(use your imagination …20 years ago I might add) , added to my fear of another deflated experience at the birth place off Vodka Jellies and Mecca of modern dance music . I took my seat and tucked into the free popcorn. The lights dimmed the film rolled and the music started, my ears pricked and after the 4 beats in a bar huge bass smashed through my eardrums and made my heart beat dance in time with it - I was back in the club on the podium semi naked smiling from ear to ear and chewing my jaw off !!

I couldn't believe how Rob Heydon has nailed the clubbing experience so well , having seen him on an interview for the film , he comes across as though he'd be better suited to directing a Surbiton church hall adaptation of 'The Good Life ' ... how wrong I was , he must have done some serious damage in his day because to interpret to this level of accuracy meant he was there ! The acting was superb, really mature actors nailing their characters , having seen a clip , I immediately was comparing Adam with Ewan Mc Gregor before Adam had even spoke a word , I needn't have bothered , Adam has huge personality that comes across very well , he looks and sounds great and he is quite obviously his own man and made this 'his' film … Another thing that was totally unexpected, in fact 'unexpectedly brilliant' was the cinematography was nothing short of top notch . I hope you like this film, if like me you were there, you can only attest to its accuracy, it walks the fine line well of showing how the drugging club culture does allow colourful imagination and frees the most repressed spirit but like any drug or alcohol fuelled experience the time to pay the piper will come and you can be sure the piper will asked to be paid when your least capable of paying him, Heydon portraits this with the reverence it deserves . Well done great film !!