2. Trainspotting (1996)
Danny Boyle's 1996 Oscar-nominated hit Trainspotting, based on the book by Irvine Welsh, is considered by many to be the definitive movie of Scottish cinema. Starring a young Ewan McGregor as an Edinburgh drug addict attempting to turn his back on the city's drug scene, it paints a far less idyllic view of Scotland than many of the movies on this list. The story takes place in 1980's Leith, a then-economically deprived district of Edinburgh, although the movie was for the most part filmed in nearby Glasgow. The film's continuing success has led Boyle to declare his hopes to soon make a sequel, in which he would re-examine the characters twenty years on. As Boyle plans to only loosely base his proposed film on Irvine Welsh's sequel, it would be interesting to see whether or not Boyle chooses to revisit Leith as a location. In recent years, the area has seen a considerable turn around and is now the home of Michelin star restaurants and top tourist attraction the Royal Yacht Britannia, a stark contrast to the Leith depicted in the film. Trainspotting was wildly successful upon its release. It launched the career of McGregor and propelled Boyle to his current status as one of Britain's premier directors. Consequently, the movie is a must-see for those interested in watching a Scottish movie with a reputation for being as compelling as it is disturbing.