Bright and original characters are one of the main reasons for the popularity of the drama “On the Needle”, which talks about drug addiction and the fight against it. The key character of the picture is the young drug addict Mark Renton, whose image was brilliantly embodied by Ewan McGregor. What is known about the hero and the person who played him?
A few words about the plot
Understanding what Mark Renton is about will help know the plot of the drama. This is a story about young people who were not ready for entry into adulthood. The world around those born in the late seventies is changing rapidly. The Nirvana group is gaining popularity, expensive outfits give way to worn jeans, sweatshirts and T-shirts. Part of everyday life are narcotic substances that allow you to relax, forget about boring reality for a while.
The film helps viewers travel to Edinburgh in the 90s. The focus is on four friends who come from average families. Comrades do not want to grow up, instead they are looking for all kinds of entertainment. They have a common problem - drug addiction. And only one of them realizes that drugs make him go too far.
Who is Mark Renton
It is time to talk about the main character of the drama. Mark Renton is a young man from Edinburgh who is not striving for anything. The young drug addict prefers to live for today, he does not think about what will happen to him tomorrow. Career, family, children - all this seems to him banal and boring. The main problem of Mark is where and how to get the next dose.
Introduces the audience to other bright characters in the drama "On the Needle". Mark Renton is far from the only drug addict in his company. Simon, nicknamed "Caifol", is fond of not only illegal substances, but also the opposite sex. Attractive appearance allows him to easily have romance with girls, however, all his connections are short-term. Daniel "Hoe" - a lethargic youth, mired in problems, inclined to delve into himself. Aggressive Bagby gets into fights almost daily. One cannot but mention Mark Tommy's closest friend, who is trying to make him fight drug addiction.
What's going on with mark
At one point, Mark Renton gets tired of his lifestyle. The young man decides to engage in drugs. He voluntarily closes himself in a hotel room, which helps him cope with withdrawal. However, abandoning the use of prohibited substances is not so simple. The unsuccessful romance prompts the young man to recall heroin again.
Next, Mark and a friend try to rob the store, but the idea fails. The hero manages to hide from law enforcement, but fear makes him again take up the syringe. Parents intervene young men who convince their son to take tests. Renton learns that he is not ill with anything, although he often shared the syringe with other addicts. This prompts him to decide to try again to start a new life. Mark moves to London, finds an apartment and work. As a result, he manages to leave the drugs behind, even if freedom comes at a great price.
Casting
The creators of the drama for a long time could not decide who should play such an ambiguous character as Mark Renton. The film “On the Needle” might not appeal to the audience if they were mistaken with the choice of the lead actor. Various candidates were considered, as a result, the Scottish Ewan McGregor managed to get around the other applicants.
Preparing for the role was not an easy task for the actor. It was assumed that Renton was emaciated and acquired a painful appearance due to drug addiction. Ewan had to follow a strict diet for about two months. Mostly McGregor relied on dairy products. Also, in preparation for the role, he several times reviewed the films “The Exorcist” and “Clockwork Orange”, as the director positioned them as original educational materials.
Actor Information
It is impossible not to tell briefly about the life of a man who convincingly portrayed such an ambiguous hero as Mark Renton. Actor Ewan McGregor was born in Scotland, it happened in March 1971. His mother taught children with disabilities, and his father taught physical education in a regular school. The boy played his first roles as a child, taking part in school plays. Even then, he had a desire to become an actor. Ewan also was fond of music, was in the group "Scarlet Pride" as a drummer. The future actor found school lessons boring, often skipped them.
After graduation, McGregor continued his education at the Guildhall School of Music and Theater. Then he moved to London and began to search for roles. Ewan made his debut in the series “Lipstick at Your Collar”, then played a small role in the film “Human Weaknesses”. For the first time, the “Red and Black” television project helped him to make himself known, in which he embodied the image of the vain Sorel. “Shallow grave”, “Life is worse than usual”, “Blue juice”, “Young Adam”, “Dreams of Cassandra”, “Angels and demons”, “Ghost”, “Knockout”, “Impossible” are famous films with his participation.
For many years, Ewan has been married to the artist Yves Mavrakis, a couple raising four daughters.