| Requiem for a Dream |
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| Rating: Very Good Distributor: Artisan Entertainment Release Date: October 6th, 2000 (limited) Running Length: 1 hour, and 42 minutes MPAA Rating: Theater rating was originally dubbed NC-17, but Artisan released it Unrated. However, the video and DVD (I merely saw the DVD) is edited so that it is much milder. I think it is now labeled 'R'. Genre: Drama, Drugs, Addiction Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald, Louise Lasser, Sean Gullette, and Keith David. |
| Plot: Harry (Jared Leto) and Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are best friends who aspire to make a lot of money drealing drugs. Marion (Jennifer Connelly) is Harry's girlfriend, and is an addict as Harry and Tyrone also end up being. Sara (Ellen Burstyn) is Harry's mother, and hopes to appear on TV after getting a possible call. She hopes to lose weight so that she can wear her favorite red dress (that no longer fits her). Harry, Tyrone, and Marione all become addicted to drugs. They all are addicted to some drug you stick in your veins, and I don't know anything about drugs so I can't tell you what. To guess woudl be to embarass myself, and I feel what drug it is does not truly matter - the theme is universal for all substance abuse. When Sara finds the task of naturally losing weight too difficult she tries diet pills. She however, becomes addicted to the pills, and increases her doses. These four story lines become increasingly ugly, as they are followed through the seasons of the year until the brutal climax. |
| Critique: Requiem for a Dream is a devastating ride into pure horror, through drug addiction. The only thing that prevents 'Requiem' from becoming great is that it lacks compassion and life in its story and characters. Darren Aronofsky has proved that he is a tremendous director in the brilliant, classic Sundance hit (hint: starring Sean Gullette in 1998). In his follow up he is able to create an excellent film, even if it isn't a classic. His courageous efforts to let the viewer understand how bad drugs are should be shown at high schools all over the nation. Although we can't make the connection between the human victims and the disturbing images due to the lack of the humane element we are still shocked enough. We are shocked because of the high level of effective, disturbing images. Also, the film is so well polished that the images become achingly clear. Aronofsky displays his power in directing yet again. The cast of actors or all very powerful, and there is not a weak performance in the film. Aronofsky has a terrific ability with actors, and none of the cast failed him. Ellen Burstyn has won deserved praise for her wild, untamed performance. She spits out fury, and horrid anguish. Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans are all believably pained. Leto has a wound cut in him, litterally and figuratively. Connelly delivers every bluntly scene with sincere feeling. Wayans is often wisely restrained, but pemanently haunting. Every supporting actor delivers their lines with painful accuracy. One thing to note though is the relentlessly cruel and unrealistic portrayal of doctors. I have no idea why that is, but there are several examples of it. Clint Mansell's was dripping with dark beauty. Mathew Libatique did a fine cinematography job, though I won't be as complimentary because I thought his methods weren't always neccesary. Still a lot of people thought his speeding up of the camera and separate pieces were important. Despite its few flaws, Requiem for a Dream is chilling, and brutal. Unlike the other acclaimed drug film of 2000, Traffic, Requiem does not cover every base of the drug problem. However, it tackles addiction with staggering effectiveness. Thus, it deals with the problem in a different, perhaps simpler way. review by supernothingman |
| 1/2 |