A startling display of how drugs can turn your world into dust. One of those movie you really don't feel like watching more than once. A somewhat differentiated portrayal of the characters (by the way, when will I finally see a happy movie with J. Connelly in it?), but at some point it turned a little bit one-dimensional in my opinion, concentrating on the demise of the characters, but losing their motives out of sight. What got them into starting in the first place? I don't doubt that you can end up like that as a drug user, but it's pretty much the worst case scenario. So if this is supposed to be something like a drug deterrence movie, good. Works. But I feel it's really focussed on tragedy. I definitely don't mean to glorify drugs, but I somehow felt dissatisfied with this movie.
this is not a movie that is against drugs, like many people seem to think. There is actually a lot of people that can control there addictions and have a "normal life". This movie shows how dark drugs can become though and living in america doesn't help much.
Watch this movie and you'll never want to do drugs again or ever try them in the first place. This movie is so harsh and brutal, it's very hard to watch and even harder to forget.
A film that charts the corrosion of four people's souls, the decaying of relationships and the shattering of delusions as the result of human weakness. This story shows us that there are forces more powerful than love and hope. It is a bleak examination of addiction's triumph over the mind and spirit. As opposed to many works from young filmmakers, it isn't experimental and apprehensive. This is a full-fledged, confident directorial vision carried out with utmost precision. Darren Aronofsky fills the story with a frantic energy, making use of everything from hip-hop montages to repetitive Snorri-cam shots. The whole cast is excellent, particularly Ellen Burstyn. I would not hesitate to say she delivers one of the finest female performances in cinema history.
The real life dramas of these humans... tsk tsk tsk... haven't we all been there? haven't we seen it in the flesh? minus the memorable score.. but nonetheless... amazing true life shit.
this movie makes an impact on anyone, drug user or not. I swore I would never use drugs after watching this movie. or at least be more aware of my usage. this movie shows really how horrible drug culture is, to an oustider anyway. the perspective makes perfect sense and is very heavy. shows drugs as a trap with no exit. watch out kids, dont dooo drugggs kidddds.
I can't say i like movies too much that are centered around drugs, but the imagery and film work was done quite well. I would add this to my "if for some god awful reason I decide to do drugs I will watch these movies first" list.
Wow...what else can I say...simply...wow. What I didn't like about this movie is that it is bizarre only for the sake of being bizarre. It's interesting enough at first but halfway through the movie, when everything suddenly makes sense and you understand what's going on, t=the rest seems repetitive and superfluous.
A modern day horror film. Technically mind-blowing and emotionally raw. The power of the film is the compassion that Aronofsky has for his characters. We truly feel for these lost souls. The entire film is summed up nicely in a single shot: one of the characters is behind bars, trapped in his own addiction, screaming out for help and the film itself can barely contain his pain. It shakes and contorts violently. Form complimenting content perfectly. Burnstyn gives us an absolutely astonishing role and Mansel with the Kronos Quartet creates a heart-breaking score that lingers long after the film is over. Heavy but brilliant stuff.
An extremelly good lesson of life! About dreams and extreme actions caused by the human needs, and also about the various ways of falling in the drugs world.
Ipnotico, ossessionante, su quel senso di vuoto che porta all'umiliazione autodistruttiva. Sembra un riuscito remake di un film giapponese. Molto brava Ellen Burstyn, colonna sonora memorabile.
one of the most depressing movies ive ever seen, but thats not a bad thing. very similar to amores perros in the tone of the story. very hard to watch, but also hard to pull away from.
Starts out good, then takes a turn for the worse and never recovers. If you insist on watching a movie about heroin junkies, I'd suggest Trainspotting.
I'm somebody now, Harry. Everybody likes me. Soon, millions of people will see me and they'll all like me. I'll tell them about you, and your father, how good he was to us. Remember? It's a reason to get up in the morning. It's a reason to lose weight, to fit in the red dress. It's a reason to smile. It makes tomorrow all right. What have I got Harry, hm? Why should I even make the bed, or wash the dishes? I do them, but why should I? I'm alone. Your father's gone, you're gone. I got no one to care for. What have I got, Harry? I'm lonely. I'm old.
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald
Genre: Crime/Drama
Running time: 97 minutes
My review:
Darren Aronofsky follows up his acclaimed debut Pi with this gritty emotionally charged film set amidsy the abandoned beaches and faded glory of Coney Island, Brooklyn. Based upon the novel by celebrated author Hubert Selby, Jr, the story intricately links the lievs of a lonely widowed mother, her son Harry, his beautiful girlfriend Marion and his best friend Tyrone. Requiem For A Dream is a hypnotic tale of four human beings each pursuing their vision of happiness. Even as everything begins to fall apart, they refuse to let go, plumeting with their dreams into a nightmarish, gut-wrenching freeball. Ellen Burstyn was absolutely fantastic in this film in her Oscar nominated performance but I dont think she was good enough to win the Oscar. I am notting just saying that because Julia Roberts is my favourite actress but I just dont think that Burstyn was good enough to win even though she was awesome in it. This film is really disturbing that makes your stomach tighten and rumble or nerve and stress. This film is a lot like Trainspotting as far as the drug addiction is concerned and I thought that Saras character was like Rentons character because they were both obsessed and terrible visions that happen around them both. Sara is a bit nuts because she says she is going to be on TV and she wants to lose weight so she can fit in her red dress which is her best dress so she decides to take diet pills which is really quite sick instead of getting exercise that we should all do. She sort of risks her life of suffering from a drug overdose for something that hasnt really been confirmed. I was unsure about the pills the doctor gave her because I didnt know there were diet pills. Despite that this film is disturbing and depressing, it is quite beautiful aswell because there is some beauty in some scenes that are quite hard to explain. This film was the best of Aronofsky and the only one I like out of this, Pi and The Fountain because it was sort of really original and I thought that it was sort of easy to understand even though it is quite hard in some scenes. The ending was really good, it was like really depressing and it was a beautiful scene too. The beginning makes the audience feel prepared for what is going to be coming up in the film. The cinematography was really good in this film and so were the sound effects too. This is my favourite film from a director I am not that keen of. But after I watched this, if Aronofsky does anymore future projects I will give it a try.
Extremely disturbing but could not tear myself away. Didn't think it was possible, but I did get emotional a few times. Regret waiting so long to see it.
Extremely impressive. I wish I could see it again. Just imagining everything makes me cry. Says it all about drugs. A reality you don't wanna know about, yeah, but truth. A very powerful movie.
A very powerful film about drugs and the resulting consequences of being addicted to them, Ellen Burstyn gives a powerhouse performance as does the rest of the addicted cast. The title may seem contradictory to itself, however, it is clear that the drug of each person's choice holds the power to make them realize they're dreams, only to end up destroying them. This film has changed my perspective on addicts greatly. Before, I disliked and thought them scum, but now I can only feel a deep sense of sorrow for those unfortunate enough to let their lives be consumed by a substance. This movie speaks true and aims to better let us understand the trials of an addict. This film will surely do to viewers what A Clockwork Orange achieved years ago. Terrify and sadden us.
Brutal, honest, realistic, unforgiving, and dark. A haunting experience that everyone should not miss. Truly one of those movies that you should see before you die.
Some might say that Requiem for a Dream is a lifesaver, hooking its audiences and pulling them away from the detrimental use of drugs by presenting its horrendous effects, as frightening as possible. The way Darren Aronofsky directed the material is out of this world, and he managed to carry the film's hype and somewhat 'entertained' the viewers by such wild handling of the camera.
The film is edited very well, and Clint Mansell's eerie score won't stop ringing your ears. Jennifer Connelly gave a career-boosting performance, as well as Marlon Wayans and Jared Leto (although among the four, I consider him the least talented).
And watching ELLEN BURSTYN was a BLAST! HOW DARE the 2001 Academy Awards snub her of an Oscar? I consider Ellen Burstyn's performance in this movie as the BEST I've seen in years. She was so unbelievable. You just can't help it but to sympathize with her character and cry over her pains. She made Julia Roberts' performance in Erin Brockovich look wooden.
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM IS A VISUAL, DANGEROUS MASTERPIECE. It carries a message that everyone should get hold of.
MCT:October 4, 2008
MCT:October 4, 2008
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