Rating of
4/4
Gripping
chiggles - wrote on 05/31/08
Requiem For A Dream covers many forms of dangerous addictions. From Harry, Mariones and Tyrons heroin addictions, to Harry's mom addiction in eating which then turns to the addiction of weight loss pills, or speed. This movie is actually being shown in high schools around the world, even though some of the graphic nature may be inappropriate for many, the movie turns out to show the graphic realism of addiction. As the movie starts out cool and funny, we then journey into a dark and sick world, which is actually happening right outside our front doors. Show in an indie film way, Requeim For A Dream is certainly the most intense and emotionally gripping movie I have seen in a long time.
The performances which were put out by our 4 main characters are stunning. Jared Leto plays as a heroin addict. As Jared Leto is known for his druggie roles, as he played a druggie in Lord of War and many others, his performance in here is heartbraking. His character is troubled and the most complex of the movie, and by the end I couldnt help but feel horribly bad for him. Being played as Harry's mom, Ellen Burstyn's performance is terrifying. Her addiction to the weight loss pills is literally scary, as the change the person taking the pills. She becomes insane and what not and her performance is horribly amazing. Jennifer Connely plays as Marion, and in the beginning we think of her as the goody good girl in the movie, but by the end we find out how much of an addict she really is. As she is constantly selling herself for money to buy more drugs.
The directing of the movie is one of the big standpoints. Instead of Darron Aronofsky just telling us how the characters felt, he expresses it by his camera work. If a character is feeling slow, the shot is played in an awkward slow motion, giving you the feeling that you are that character. If a character feels fast or rushed, the movie is sped up, giving us more of an experience with the characters. There are moments where the screen just goes insane. There is a shot towards the end where Harry and Tyrone are in prison, Harry is yelling because of the pain in his arm and Tyrone is yelling for help but the camera shakes in an extreme movement, giving you the feeling that they have no control anymore. The movie also does a great job with showing us how drugs can change a person, as many of the characters are completely new by the end of the film.
Requiem For A Dream is disturbing, real, emotional and gripping. A Must See!
