Trainspotting - opening and closing sequences

The opening sequence sets the scene for the film as Renton and Spud are running away from the police after shoplifting something to pay for their drugs. As they are running away a voiceover of Renton plays over the music and action, he says "choose life, choose a career, choose a family [...] cars, compact disc players, electrical tin openers, choose good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, choose fixed interest mortgage repayments, choose a starter home, choose your friends [...]. Renton says this ironically to suggest that these things aren't good things in life whereas he is pessimistic and only cares about drugs. This contrasts to the closing sequence because Renton has changed his views of the importance of life, he lists the objects again but now he aspires to have in his life. 

Thatcherism was a belief in free markets and a small government under Thatcher as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. Rather than planning and regulating business and people's lives, government's job is to get out the way. By this they can buy and sell freely. Margaret Thatcher believed that the victorian family values were the way to improve society, through people bettering themselves. This was not just economic means "but there was an element of it being linked to respectability and societal values". This opposes to Trainspotting because the characters aren't trying to better themselves at the beginning and no not carry societal values this is shown by Renton's speech about Scottish people where he says " we are the lowest of the low", whereas by the end Renton tries to better himself by getting off drugs and gets a job.  

Aids in Trainspotting has a frequent reference seen when : Renton goes to get tested for AIDS, during Renton's withdrawal when Dale Winton is shown on TV presenting a game show talking about The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and over time - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is also seen when Tommy dies from the disease. 

1990s music in Trainspotting shows rebellion by Iggy Pops song 'Lust for life' this shows the destruction of Renton himself by how he is abusing drugs and how this is overthrowing society. The use of classical music makes the scenes ironic because it is played when disturbing things are happening but it also makes the scene uplifting.Perfect day by Lou Reed is playing whilst Renton is taken to hospital because he has overdosed which makes this scene ironic. Born slippy by Underworld reflects the change from anarchy to freedom.