Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Employing shock techniques and sound design in a relentless sensory assault, Requiem for a Dream is about nothing less than the systematic destruction of hope. Based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr., and adapted by Selby and director Darren Aronofsky, this is undoubtedly one of the most effective films ever made about the experience of drug addiction (both euphoric and nightmarish), and few would deny that Aronofsky, in following his breakthrough film Pi, has pushed the medium to a disturbing extreme, thrusting conventional narrative into a panic zone of traumatized psyches and bodies pushed to the furthest boundaries of chemical tolerance. It's too easy to call this a cautionary tale; it's a guided tour through hell, with Aronofsky as our bold and ruthless host.

The film focuses on a quartet of doomed souls, but it's Ellen Burstyn--in a raw and bravely triumphant performance--who most desperately embodies the downward spiral of drug abuse. As lonely widow Sara Goldfarb, she invests all of her dreams in an absurd self-help TV game show, jolting her bloodstream with diet pills and coffee while her son Harry (Jared Leto) shoots heroin with his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) and slumming girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly). They're careening toward madness at varying speeds, and Aronofsky tracks this gloomy process by endlessly repeating the imagery of their deadly routines. Tormented by her dietary regime, Sara even imagines a carnivorous refrigerator in one of the film's most memorable scenes. And yet... does any of this have a point? Is Aronofsky telling us anything that any sane person doesn't already know? Requiem for a Dream is a noteworthy film, but watching it twice would qualify as masochistic behavior. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Prententious Crappola (of rocknrola)!!!!

Spun (Unrated Version)This is what happens when people who have never gotten hiiiiiigh in their life try to make a movie about gettin high. Get "Spun", instead....pretty much on the money. Or, maybe even:Blow (Infinifilm Edition)"Blow" which, at least, had the immortal line: "I once did 10 grams in 10 minutes....what can I say? I guess I have a high tolerance." Skip this second-rate bit o' fluff and read:PILATE: A Brutal Bible Taleinstead. Ever seen a vampire stoned? Ever seen the Christ smoke trees? June 25, 2008

painful, candid and essential

Requiem For A Dream is one of the best films I have ever seen. Brilliantly co-written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, Requiem For A Dream does in fact attack you with a dramatic and remarkably candid portrayal of what a "drug" can mean to someone--and what that "drug" can do to someone. For Aronofsky, that drug could be watching television, taking diet pills or street drugs. This film is sure to have a deep emotional impact on you; and as a former social worker I could empathize with the struggles that the three or four main characters live through as they watch the destruction of their dreams because they used drugs to achieve their dreams.

When the action begins, we meet Sara Goldfarb, a lonely old widow in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn whose only pleasure seems to be watching a somewhat silly self-help show on television. Her son, Harry, is constantly hocking her television set for money--only what Sara doesn't know is that Harry uses the money to buy heroin for himself and cocaine for his girlfriend Marion. Harry is also friends with a drug dealer named Tyrone; and they scheme to buy and resell drugs on the street for fat profits. Unfortunately, just as others have noted, Harry and Tyrone often turn out to be their own best customers.

Sara herself is on a mission. One day she gets a phone call stating that she has already won a spot on the self-help talk show-and when Sara can't fit into her prized red dress, a problem ensues. At first, Sara tried to diet; but this goes nowhere fast. A friend tells Sara about a doctor who is rather liberal with his prescription pad; and this doctor soon has Sara hooked on diet pills that eventually have her jumping around like TWO Mexican jumping beans.

In order to make the tragedy of it all even more human and painful for some of us to watch, we see Sara, Harry, Marion and Tyrone all deteriorating as a result of their respective drug habits. It's not a pretty picture; but it's brilliantly acted and portrayed by the filmmakers.

Of course, the plot can still go anywhere. What does eventually happen to Sara, Harry, Marion and Tyrone? Will any of them be able to kick their drug habits--and what becomes of any of them if they can't kick their habits? The last twenty minutes of the film give us a skillful expose of their new lives.

The DVD has extras: there is a director's commentary with the "making of" featurette; and there are deleted scenes. The "anatomy of a scene" extra is also very well done.

Overall, Requiem For A Dream is probably one of the very best films I have ever seen. It gives us an often painfully candid look at what drugs can do to people and how people must struggle to beat their addictions. I highly recommend this for anyone wishing to study this matter. Unfortunately, the film is so frank that some sensitive people will be uncomfortable; but I believe that they had to make the message strong because that is the only way to truly deal with the issues involved.
May 31, 2008

amazing,shocking,crazy,powerfull movie

I've heard about this movie for quite a few years and never decided to watch it until now becuase i heard so much hype about it, all i knew was it was about "drug abuse". Well the movie is about 4 people, everything seems fine at the beginning and the movie is slow to start but a half hour later it starts to pick up pace, thier drug use turns into drug abuse and obsession, thier dreams take a turn for the worse when it gets out of control and the movie gets darker and darker as it progresses.

the movie is filmed very well as the director does an amazing job, the performences are amazing especially from Ellen Burstyn which i rememeber from the exorcist and i havent watched much of jennifer Connelly's work apart from dark water which was an ok horror film but here she is also great. when the whole movie ended i was left out of breath and in shock!, the ending was pretty messed up and sad but i wasnt that depressed from watching it but i guess everyone's different, if your squeamish i suggest watching it with someone else because it definatly deserves at least one viewing and it is definatly one of those movies you will never forget. put the dvd in and get ready for a shocking/breathtaking ride.
May 30, 2008

This review is not helpful

Fell asleep on it. I'm sure it was good, but I took some medication and it wasn't interesting enough to keep me awake. I'll tell you one thing, the change of seasons woke me up. The wife liked it, if that's helpful. I'm sure Aronofsky did a great job, as he did with his lo-budget Pi. May 27, 2008

Over the years

i watched this movie back when it first came out and didn't really get it. i recently re watched it and found it to be extremely thought provoking and true to life. this is a true glimpse into the life of a world most don't know. one thing that really grabbed me the second time is how the cycle of addiction really is a family problem. not for the faint of heart but a great movie if you want to see something that will make you think. May 15, 2008

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