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Requiem for a Dream 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
NR, 102 min. (intense drug abuse, graphic sexuality, language) |
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Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald, Louise Lasser, Keith David
Producers: Eric Watson, Palmer West
Screenplay: Darren Aronofsky, Hubert Selby Jr.
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment
Released: 10/6/00 (Limited) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Devastating. That's the one word that best summarizes Requiem for a Dream, the sophomore effort from rising
director Darren Aronofsky. And like his first effort, Pi, he uses the camera to enhance and amplify the story, fully
realizing his goal of thrusting the viewer into a spiral of despair as do the characters in the film. This is a brutal picture of
drugs and its stranglehold on the lives of those who succumb to the lure of short-lived pleasure and escape from reality.
Although many other films, such as this year's Traffic, have addressed the issue of drugs with sincerity, they do not reach the level of this film's dark,
realistic, and powerful potrayal of its end result.
As if the film's strong message was not enough, the jaw-dropping performance of Ellen Burstyn is a sight to behold - I'm not
sure I've seen a better performance in the last decade. In fact, this is a stunning display of acting, with every supporting
character carefully chosen and fully absorbed in their roles - it leaves the viewer stunned and in near disbelief when the end
credits roll. The film's stark look at the affect of drugs on its characters was too much for the MPAA - it gave the film an
NC-17 rating, which prompted Aronofsky to release the film unrated. As far as I'm concerned, every person who is involved
in, or contemplating using drugs, should be required to view this film.
For the first hour or so, the film is quite tame - we are introduced to the main characters, their relationships, and their use of
drugs to help them escape their own realities. Harry (Jared Leto) is young drug abuser who will do almost anything to get his
next fix, including repeatedly stealing his mother's, Sara (Ellen Burstyn), television for money to buy drugs. Harry's best
friend, Tyrone (Marlon Wayans), accompanies Harry to buy drugs whenever possible. Tiring of this continual cycle, Harry and
Tyrone decide to become distributors - enough to help them fund their own habit, but also to make better lives for themselves.
Harry's girlfriend, Marion (Jennifer Connelly), is also an addict, but has aspirations of becoming an artist - even more reason
for Harry to move forward with his plans. Then there's Sara, who dreams of being on television, so much so that she spends
all day watching it. Sara decides to go on a diet when she is contacted by a television show that she will possibly go on the
show in the near future. She hears of a can't-miss diet drug from her friend, and proceeds to begin the "treatment" as well.
Harry quickly recognizes that she is unknowingly on uppers and downers to control her diet, but it's too late - she's hooked.
This is when the film begins a spiral that will ultimately lead to ruin in all four characters' lives.
Ellen Burstyn's performance as Sara is remarkable - she gives herself completely to the role, and her final few scenes in the
film are terrifying. Her slow decent into chaos is masterfully directed, but she steals the thunder from Aronofsky here.
I can't imagine how the Academy could give anyone else its Best Actress award, although we all know that the most-deserving
candidate rarely wins anyway.
The other three characters, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans, also are very strong - it's not a stretch to say
that all of them have given the best performance of their careers here. Jennifer Connelly is especially impressive, she is
stretched in a way she's never been before, which is a sign that she put herself completely in Aronofsky's hands. The
result is a believable and gut-wrenching performance, especially in the final half of the film. Marlon Wayans, who is best known
for his comedic outbursts in other films, is subdued yet strong as a man who wants a better life than the one he's currently
living. With this performance, he's shown he can do more than just generate laughs. Jared Leto, best-known for his role
in Urban Legend, is terrific as Sara's caring, yet complex son. His character's complete disregard for his body when it begins
to deteriorate is disturbing - he'd rather have his fix than worry about that. This film would not have been quite as powerful
without these fine efforts.
Director Darren Oronofsky was not satisfied with the status quo when filming his masterpiece. His new techniques and close-ups
to identify a drug's hold on his characters helps to further hit home his message of addiction and its affects on those people.
His greatest effect is the film's sense of desperation as it spirals towards its conclusion - in the final scenes, he uses quick
edits and haunting music to shock the viewer into submission. This is maybe the film's greatest strength and greatest weakness;
it worked well for me, but it may not for others - some may be confused or just plain irritated with its startling brutality. But
no one can deny that he has found something unique in his directorial style, a style that is as sure to be copied as Quentin
Tarentino's style was in the early 90's.
Requiem for a Dream is based on the book by Hubert Selby Jr., and he is credited with helping write the screenplay as well.
In fact, Aronofsky consulted him several times to make the film as realistic as possible. The film is so brutal to its characters
that at times it's hard to watch, but the power of this film cannot be ignored, and I doubt many other films dealing with drug
addiction will be able to top this one. This film is definitely not for everyone, but for those brave enough to endure its
message, it's one film you won't forget. It's one of the year's best films.
© 2000 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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