Although he returned to his medical practice, Hodge continued to write scenarios. His sophomore effort was the adaptation of Irvin Welsh's novel "Trainspotting" (1995; released in the US in 1996), an ensemble piece delving into the drug culture of Glasgow. Like "Shallow Grave", it demonstrated the influence of American films on Hodge's work, with its devotion to story over mere character development. Thrillingly directed by Boyle and featuring a star-making turn by McGregor, "Trainspotting" courted controversy with its intense depiction of heroin use. Hodge received the 1995 British Academy Award for his script. Hodge and Boyle next fashioned "A Life Less Ordinary" (1997), a road picture with romantic comedy overtones that teamed McGregor and Cameron Diaz.