Director Darren Aronofsky

 

 

Requiem for a dream, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans, is a very “worst case scenario” film to say the very least. You have your Junkie 20- something and his crew of equally addicted friends, and you have his delusional mother,who just wants to be a TV star and fit into her old red dress who becomes severely addicted to “uppers” Some might think by the description that it is just another Junkie flick, however, me being a huge fan of “Drug movies” would have to say that this film is one of the most original, hardcore, and very hard to watch stories I have ever seen. It shows you the most inhuman and desperate things one would do if addicted enough to get their fix, including anal sex with a gigantic dildo while a entire house of people cheer you on, delusions from being SO strung out, that you are running down NYC streets afraid of your refrigerator that has tried to attack you, until you find yourself awake during shock treatment when help is finally come, if that's what you wanna call it. And abscesses on your arm so bad that amputation is the only option.

 

This movie gives you a headache because of it’s intensity, but like a bad train-wreck you cannot advert your eyes. Based on the Novel by Hubert Selby JR. I can safely say the movie was as good if not BETTER than the book. It is visually striking with the best cinematography that makes you really FEEL the trip they are on. Not to mention an AMAZING soundtrack! An eerie tune that is played throughout the film ( Requiem for a Dream is the soundtrack album from the 2000 film Requiem for a Dream. It was composed by Clint Mansell and performed by the Kronos Quartet.)

 

As far as acting goes I was thrown off when I read that comedian Marlon Wayans was in this movie. But trust me when I say he puts on a dark, stellar and very convincing performance. You won't even remember it was him during his scenes. Jared Leto was amazing as the main character. This movie will haunt you long after you have watched it! It has made every “most disturbing film” list out there.

 

Kim Acrylic