Begbie's Dad

I always wondered why Trainspotting was called Trainspotting. Not the pastime but the film. I recently watched the sequel T2 Trainspotting and my question was answered. I enjoyed the film although didn't rate it nearly as high as the original. One scene I found touching and sad was when Renton & Begbie are in the disused Leith Train Station and come across an old drunkard. This is a very emotional scene and close to the end of the film. Trains have not run from this station for many years and the old drunk asks if they are "trainspottin" as the old man is.

Trainspotting in an old derelict and disused station could be a representation of some kind of hopeless and futile existence living in Leith and being addicted to alcohol or heroin as Renton is. Waiting for life to change in a hopeless and stagnant existence. In the series of films Begbie is a character beset with anger and violence issues although not much of his back story is told. In this scene we finally find out that the old, homeless drunkard is in fact Begbie's father and the reason for the name Trainspotting revealed. I found this a very sad and poignant part of the film and it seems to have stuck with me for some reason. I suppose it is in part because it was the first time I have felt compassion and sorrow for Begbie and not seen him as a violent monster.

It may be worth exploring this relationship with his father in more depth and ask some more detailed questions:

• How did he end up where he was?

• This was obviously such an influence to be the name of the film. Is that where his rage and inner sadness came from?

• Did he come to peace with it in the end?

• Develop this story.