★ 4 / 10
Drugs Are Not Enough
torrascotia
While I had a ticket to see this in the cinema with Irvine in person, I opted to watch this at home when it became available. I knew it was a personal portrait…
While I had a ticket to see this in the cinema with Irvine in person, I opted to watch this at home when it became available. I knew it was a personal portrait documentary, I just didn't know it also covered his experience taking DMT in a clinic.If you don't know Irvine found success after writing a book called Trainspotting. Which gained success in Scottish working class communities in the 90's. Not because it was a good or well written book, because it clearly wasn't. But because it was the first representation of working class Scottish language in print, that the working classes actually bought and read. The middle classes also bought into the hype later, but its questionable if they could even read it. They have no issue telling working class Scots they can't understand what they are saying, so why would reading be any different? Anyway Trainspotting was about drug use and so is this doc to an extent.Irvines second stroke of luck was that a studio opted to turn his book into a film. This required someone else to turn his unfilmable book into a coherent package. The film was a remarkable cultural success, yet its success was down to what others did to his work to make it presentable.What is interesting about this documentary are Irvines beliefs about his life. He says that his success took him out of the class system, he isn't middle class because he doesn't do what they do. He also said he retired in his 30's. The problem is he is identified as working class as soon as he talks. He just has money and more options. The other thing is he hasn't retired. He is still writing books, doing tours and occasionally DJing. While I get the whole "do something you enjoy, you will never work again", he is working and still working class. Albeit in a career not many working class get to enjoy.As far as the drugs narrative goes, its in line with the Joe Rogan drug tourist philosophy. For the rich or artistic, DMT is the new acid. Its all about a deep meaningful experience and life and the universe. Not imply a chemical that interferes with cell function. I am not sure I am enjoying it is his initial thought. The question is whether he would have had any more a profound experience taking drugs in Leith bought from the internet? But like Trainspotting, drugs are the selling point of this documentary, to a middle class audience who think they are cool and edgy. Middle class drug tourism at a safe distance if you will.Like most working class men who were around in the 90's in Scotland who lived through the buzz of Trainspotting the novel and eventually the film. I like Irvine and I am happy for his success. Much like the working classes like Oasis. We like it when working class guys get and maintain success that is rarely open to them. I suppose the downside is the whole DMT enlightenment journey, which is a fake experience because its just a chemical. Irvine is interesting enough, he doesn't need chemical enhancements. But that is the problem with his image. Some people want him to be the guy that they take drugs with, in person or if they cant do that, through this documentary. Quite a cynical little move, but that is what sells I suppose.
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★ 4 / 10
torrascotia
While I had a ticket to see this in the cinema with Irvine in person, I opted to watch this at home when it became available. I knew it was a personal portrait…
While I had a ticket to see this in the cinema with Irvine in person, I opted to watch this at home when it became available. I knew it was a personal portrait documentary, I just didn't know it also covered his experience taking DMT in a clinic.If you don't know Irvine found success after writing a book called Trainspotting. Which gained success in Scottish working class communities in the 90's. Not because it was a good or well written book, because it clearly wasn't. But because it was the first representation of working class Scottish language in print, that the working classes actually bought and read. The middle classes also bought into the hype later, but its questionable if they could even read it. They have no issue telling working class Scots they can't understand what they are saying, so why would reading be any different? Anyway Trainspotting was about drug use and so is this doc to an extent.Irvines second stroke of luck was that a studio opted to turn his book into a film. This required someone else to turn his unfilmable book into a coherent package. The film was a remarkable cultural success, yet its success was down to what others did to his work to make it presentable.What is interesting about this documentary are Irvines beliefs about his life. He says that his success took him out of the class system, he isn't middle class because he doesn't do what they do. He also said he retired in his 30's. The problem is he is identified as working class as soon as he talks. He just has money and more options. The other thing is he hasn't retired. He is still writing books, doing tours and occasionally DJing. While I get the whole "do something you enjoy, you will never work again", he is working and still working class. Albeit in a career not many working class get to enjoy.As far as the drugs narrative goes, its in line with the Joe Rogan drug tourist philosophy. For the rich or artistic, DMT is the new acid. Its all about a deep meaningful experience and life and the universe. Not imply a chemical that interferes with cell function. I am not sure I am enjoying it is his initial thought. The question is whether he would have had any more a profound experience taking drugs in Leith bought from the internet? But like Trainspotting, drugs are the selling point of this documentary, to a middle class audience who think they are cool and edgy. Middle class drug tourism at a safe distance if you will.Like most working class men who were around in the 90's in Scotland who lived through the buzz of Trainspotting the novel and eventually the film. I like Irvine and I am happy for his success. Much like the working classes like Oasis. We like it when working class guys get and maintain success that is rarely open to them. I suppose the downside is the whole DMT enlightenment journey, which is a fake experience because its just a chemical. Irvine is interesting enough, he doesn't need chemical enhancements. But that is the problem with his image. Some people want him to be the guy that they take drugs with, in person or if they cant do that, through this documentary. Quite a cynical little move, but that is what sells I suppose.
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TOMATOMETER
· 8 reviews
6.7/10
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