Requiem For A Dream [2001]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Fantasy mixes with the harsh reality of addiction and the desire for hope in Requiem for a Dream. Beginning at the dawn of a new summer in Coney Island, the film charts the relationship of Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn) and her son Harry (Jared Leto)--two characters who are lost with in a world of the self-absorbed desire to feed their addictions at the cost of hope and love. With a sublime score (performed by the Kronos Quartet) accompanying some intense visual imagery, the film sets up an almost fairy-tale wash over the characters' lives, with every hit of their chosen drug turning them into beautiful people surrounded by a haze which enhances all their features. However, unlike films such as Trainspotting which turn the dream into a nightmare then end with a huge dose of hope, Requiem for a Dream forces the viewer through all loss of hope and the descending madness of reality, as winter begins.

Darren Aronofsky's follow-up to the critically acclaimed Pi is a movie which exposes not only the terror caused by addiction of any kind--be it TV or Heroin--but also offers a powerful insight into the destruction caused by the desire to achieve "the American Dream". Based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr, the film sacrifices dialogue in favour of imagery and movement: the editing and cinematography are reminiscent of MTV, however the movie takes this very aggressive style and moulds it to its own needs, adding a beautifully haunting narrative and powerful performances by its four main characters (Burstyn just missing out on an Oscar for Best female lead to Julia Roberts). Ultimately the viewer is left with a sense of desperation and despair: Requiem for a Dream exposes drugs and addiction in the most powerful and truthful way a film has ever managed, leaving no stone unturned.

On the DVD: This disc is bursting with excellent special features. The anamorphic widescreen picture makes the most of the film's stylish visuals, and the soundtrack offers choice of either Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0. As well as offering the obligatory theatrical trailer, scene selection and a fantastic director's commentary, there's also a "making-of" featurette, TV trailers charting the reviews and success of the film, an "Anatomy of a scene", and a wide range of deleted scenes. By far the best feature is Hubert Selby Jr's interview with Ellen Burstyn, which offers the writer a chance to put across not just his opinions on his work but also on life as a whole. All these features are placed within an impressively formatted menu. --Nikki Disney

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Customer reviews

review by: Willow - counselling people in the UK date: 2008-10-14 rating:
one for the teens to watch with peers
Wow - I sat down with my teenage son to watch a movie, and I must say I've just finished watching it and if I was ever tempted at my age to take drugs again, this film would certainly put me off - it was mean and gritty and scarey and honest and all those things together with powerful images and I wish every teen out there would get it and watch it before they take their first line of coke.
I loved the links between the mum and the son, drugs whatever shape or form can cause dreadful harm. a fab film just not one to watch before bedtime. xx

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review by: date: 2008-09-05 rating:
Trainspotting this aint!
Whereas trainspotting was a film you can laugh at even in the sadest moments, though sometimes through gritted teeth, this film does in no way glamourise the use of drugs.
It provides a stark reality check which should be played to all those considering taking drugs (particulary injectable ones), which some people seem to need for some reason. Lets face it you dont ever hear of happy endings do you?! (though i can see, if not understand, the social reasons why people do try). Anyway the film is well acted and brilliantly shot, and gripping viewing. Not sure i would want to put myself through watching this a second time though as you get into the characters quickly, a beautiful relationship destroyed was harrowing and years after watching this film i still think its deeply disturbing! (not one to impress the girlfriend with on a saturday night!)

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review by: date: 2008-08-26 rating:
A watch once film
This film is very well done but my goodness is it sad. Don't watch this if you want something that will cheer you up. I bought a copy then sold it because now that i have seen it I will simply never watch it again, I believe that teenagers should be watching things like this, to see what drugs REALLY do to you, and it's not cool like some films make out - in fact it's absolutely awful.

Just thinking about it makes me cry, especially when I think of what the "slimming pills" do to the main characters mother. I think this film has been done brilliantly but it's not the sort of thing I would ever ever want to see again. Watch this if you think that it's cool to take drugs, you'll soon think otherwise.

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review by: date: 2008-08-21 rating:
Unforgettable.
Bleak, disturbing, thought provoking but ultimately the story of four people searching for happiness. The main characters are all addicts of one kind or another and the film follows them as their addictions spiral out of control. This film in no way glamorises drug taking - it is unrelenting and harrowing in its portrayal of drug addiction. The acting is incredible and special mention should go to Ellen Burstyn (Sara Goldfarb) and Jared Leto (Harry Goldfarb) who both give gritty, brutally real and poignant performances. The final few scenes are heart breaking to watch. I find this film deeply disturbing and even though I have watched it a couple of times it still affects me for days after. In my opinion, a fantastic piece of film-making but not one to watch if you are looking for something light-hearted to lift your spirits. The novel by Hubert Selby Jnr is well worth a read too.


review by: David in Digital Land date: 2008-07-17 rating:
Good cinema
If you are curious as to what makes someone an addict this film goes part way to answer that question. More markedly not just a heroin user - a junkie in the steroetipical sense, this story intertwines the main character and his mother, both through very different circumstances become addicts, the consequences for both are devastating. Other characters in the film associated to the lead actor also become addicts with dire outcomes. The camera work is superb. The dialogue honest, vibrant and touching in places. Sureal quality of story telling showing the impact on people who use mind altering substances. a WONDERFUL PIECE OF CINEMA .

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Pi [1999]
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City Of God (Cidade De Deus) [2003]
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American Beauty [2000]

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