Examples of Films and Actors associated with the Social Realism Genre

Think of the genre of Social Realism film and you'd be inclined to think of low budget, low tech productions. It is perhaps these unfair prejudices placed on the genre and the unwillingness of audiences to give the genre a try that mark it out as new territory for aspiring film makers to sink their teeth into. The fact that the genre of social realism is largely underdeveloped with only a few "big hits" to represent it at the cinema and worldwide box office compared with the genre of Action Adventure for example means that opposing parties of filmmakers and audience members feel reluctant to experiment with the genre given their preconceptions of the genre, believing it to be of low quality and of low viewing standard given the budget constraints of production companies that attempt to develop films in the genre. However, despite the above perceived negative attitudes facing the genre there have been a few stand out performances from both actors and directors that have as a result led the way to successful careers and future ventures and prospects. Here are some performances that I personally feel still to this day have lit  the cinema screen alight with the flames of their impassioned talent.

 

Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller and Danny Boyle:

All three of the aforementioned through the film Trainspotting were able to in the aftermath of the film's release and subsequent public outcry of critical reception and acclaim and outpouring of positive feedback from critics and audience members alike,  successfully launch and project their careers in the movie and film industry, confirming their positions as household names for the future of the British film industry, either as a successful director as in Boyle's case as he eventually progressed to the much prized and highly prestigious honour of securing the position of artistic director for the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. Or indeed, as the two actors in Ewan McGregor who portrayed the lead of Mark Renton and Jonny Lee Miller who portrayed Spud found, through their exposure and stand out performances in this piece were able to secure their positions in a vast and wide array of Hollywood film and TV productions. Most notably for Ewan McGregor of late has been his appearance as Jedi master Obi- Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy of the ever popular blockbuster franchise Star Wars saga, whilst Miller has enjoyed similar success in his own acting career and pursuits of his goals. Most recently to note, he was seen as the title role in US cable network channel CBS's adaption of British TV drama Sherlock; Elementary starring as the title role in this critically acclaimed retelling of the Holmes cannon of stories.

From the experiences of all three men involved in bringing the film Trainspotting to the cinema screen in their various respective roles in the creative team, it is clear that involvement in the critically renowned film production has brought great critical success and good fortune to all three men in their future careers as Trainspotting was able to set an impressive blueprint in showcasing the cream of British talent in the film industry. And what a good job it made of it too.