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Visitors Review

Jonny C 2012-05-21 23:36:47

Anything but a "dream"

Beautiful and disturbing. Mesmorizing and horrifying. Vibrant anddark.Yes, these words all describe "Requiem for a dream." Don't let the titlethrow you off for a minute, this film is anything but a "dream." It is anightmare that takes you to the depths of mortal hell. However, don't letmy choice of words throw you off either, this film will remain amasterpieceforever.Darren Aronofsky has done it again. His follow up to the psychologicalthriller, "Pi," and though a difficult feat, he has made an even moresuperior film, brilliant in every aspect. I'm sure you have read otherreviews and heard people talking about the story of the film, I will notgointo that. The story has been done before, drug addicts spiraling out ofcontrol to their eventual demise. The film's brilliance, however, doesnotlie within the story, but within the way it's told. The cinematographyhelps the film, and though gruesome in points, you cannot take your eyesoffof the screen. The spiraling overhead shots, the dark lighting, thesimplebut intriguing sets. The excellent, fast-paced editing makes you not evenwant to blink, knowing that you will miss something (If this film does notwin Best Editing, it should be considered a crime). From the beginning,watching the simple characters' lives slowly fall apart until the shockingand non-stop beautifully disturbing climax, you cannot take your eyes offof"Requiem for a Dream." Whether that's a good thing, I'm still not sure.Iregret seeing the film, but I'm so happy I did at the same time. It'sthosemixed feelings that make this film such a masterpiece. I've read so manyreviews about this film, talking about how everybody is dead silent at theend, still too shocked to speak a word. Well, I heard one utterance whilewalking out of the dark theatre: "Oh my God." That about summed it up forme, too.

slammerps 2012-05-21 14:03:49

The most powerfuly disturbing movie EVER! and this just in... drugs are BAD?????

I could go on and on about this movie. I saw it a day or two after it'spremiere at the Boston Film Festival. I read a review on here from someonewho said it was "worth a 400 mile drive." I didn't have to go that far,thank god... but knowing what I know now, I would have if needed, and itwould have been worth it. This movie was powerful, and disturbing. Darren Aronofsky has a masterpieceon his hands. In my mind he could retire now, after his second movie, andstill be put in the book of great directors, AND be near the front of thepage. His direction is innovate, using not only visual tricks, but alsousing sound to move us through the journey. He has done this like nobody hasdone before. The score is awesome, and moving.This movie is rated NC-17, or unrated depending on who you speak with, buteveryone should have a chance to see this film. It should be shown at DAREclass in schools. Ellen Burstyn should win an oscar for her performance...Marlon Wayans, shockingly, was great. This movie will change the way youlook at him forever. Jared Leto & Jennifer Connelly did awesome jobs.I wish there was something objective, something bad, or negative I could sayabout this film... but there isn't. Darren Aronofsky is the future ofFilmmaking!Usually in my reviews I try to put a clever "don't see this movie if ___fillin black___ because" line near the end... But with Requiem for a Dream I won't, because like I said,EVERYONE should see this film! There is no reason not to! Be moved! Bedisturbed! Be amazed! You will, no ifs, ands or buts aboutit!Pete's Movie Rating: 10

2012-05-18 19:12:25

Requiem for a Dream

With little doubt "Requiem for a Dream" (based on Hubert Selby Jr.'s novel) is a relentlessly bleak and austere film that left me breathless and emotionally devastated after I left the theater. I don't believe that this film is about heroin addiction per se, but has much more to do with addiction in its many splendored forms. On the one hand you have physical addictions (i.e., drugs, sex, and money), and on the other you have addictions of a far more intangible variety (e.g., irremediable attractions to unattainable dreams and desires). Obviously the characters portrayed by Jared Leto, Marlon Wayans, and that actress whose name I can't seem to remember appear on the surface to suffer from physical addictions (i.e., heroin), but below the surface they suffer interminably from delusions of grandeur, i.e., the American Dream. The more dope they shoot into their veins the more palpable this absurd vision of opulence becomes, until finally the rug gets swept from underneath their feet and they lie prone and helpless amidst the devastation that surrounds them. But even when Leto, Wayans, and the girl eventually become aware of the imminent fall they still manage to convince themselves that their dreams still possess that chance (no matter how slight and insignificant) of coming to fruition. This naive presumption, in my opinion, is the driving force behind this remarkable film. Most Americans think that by the time they've reached a certain age (say, 35 or 40) they should have a pretty firm grasp on life and not vice versa. However reality, in most cases, tends to rub most people the wrong way leaving them either 1) disappointed with what they have or have not accomplished or 2) generally angry, depressed, or downright perturbed about their miserable existences. Now I don't believe that the primary message in "Requiem" is as trite as "be happy with what you've got and be careful when you pause to think about what you haven't", but I do believe that it runs closely along those lines. It's no secret that the media and our democratic "theology" has a lot to do with injecting people with this bankrupt notion that anyone can achieve monetary success so long as they try their damnedest. Many individuals obviously do prosper and flourish in this incomparable republic we call the United States. But for every "one" there are hundreds of thousands who fail ignominiously and perish without even so much as uttering a whimper. Selby's novel (and Aronofsky's excellent cinematic adaptation) brings the hammer down on these misconceptions and shatters them with a force that will not soon be forgotten.

petera00 2012-05-18 07:44:54

great flick but only one that arnofsky is getting started on

I'd have to admit that this film was great, but I could only watch it oncebecause it doesn't have the script that Pi had, which I admit is two timesbetter than that of Requiem. I thought the shots were like poetry, some ofthe best artistic values I have seen in years.I cannot wait for Arnofsky to sign on with the next batman, he shouldreturnthe darknight into what it was originally when another great director TimBurton did the original one. Requiem makes you think about what life islike when you take drugs and the downfalls it can hold when you do them.This is great because he explores the entire world of drugs and the effectsof them.Arnofsky, Kubrick, and Burton are some of the best directors of all time,they are the true artists at work. I think by the time Arnofsky is done,you'll compare him to that of Orson Wells. (at least he doesn't copyimagesand scenes like every other movie director). I enjoyed it, great movie.And if it were to go into the oscars, it would ruin the movie. I hatehollywood and all there big hollywood blockbusters, noooooooo good. Keepita secret and don't let them change your movie they want it to be Darren.Peace out

felixoteiza 2012-05-17 17:10:05

Bland, unrealistic, "Just Say No" pamphlet or artsy, surrealistic, journey into someone's personal Hell?

Take your pick. Now, decades ago there was a film--Rocco And HisBros.--about a poor kid who gets into boxing, where he succeeds, untilhe meets a prostitute, which brings the ruin of both. Yet nobody calledthat an anti--prostitution film. It was simply a sad story just likethe one here. Now, I understand that some viewers have the notion thateverything in life got to be black or white, so they have problemsaccepting that things are far more complex than that. People just don'tsay one day, in a whim: "OK, I'll start doing drugs now" but such athing is usually the fruit of serious personal problems and hangups—usually born of parental abandonment, mental illness, poverty,etc--and not the result of some lucid decision by anyone. So let's beclear: These three youths were already screwed up when RFAD started.They had no interests in life, no social interactions, even if theirprojects may have given them an aura of normality--to open a shop forex. These are deranged individuals, so this is in no way a message foryou, normal people, but for others, which don't even give a hoot forthis flick anyway.That doesn't mean there isn't such a message; but we aren't here tojudge intentions, only artworks. Another ex.: Don Quixote was votedtime ago the greatest literary work in History, as a masterful metaphorof the eternal struggle in the soul of man between his idealistic &materialistic sides. But what Cervantes intended when writing it wasvery different; he just wanted to vent against the pulp fiction of hisera, the XVII Century Harry Potters, which he judged stupid, so hewrote a satire about it. Aranofsky may have made us an anti-drug flickhere but who cares?. We must judge this as a work of art and there's where the problemsstart, at least for me. First, the cinematography: I understand this iscinema art so I won't vent much against camera angles, fade outs, FF,Slow Motions, Close Ups, or about the omnipresent jump cuts and so onbut I'll say that after a while they become annoying, at least for anon-artsy like me. Someone here mentions a return to the Soviet cinemaof the 1920s and I agree; so much so that when the leads were beingtortured, all at the same time, I feared to see somewhere a strollerrunning down some stairs. But the acting is great, especially fromBurstyn, and the musical score a gem. As for the pacing, editing,directing, setting, I have only four, non-judgemental, words: too artsyfor me.But the main flaw of RFAD is that its characters are uninteresting.They have no depth, no complexity. They are just cartoons, stereotypes,and for that they are not memorable. And yet, it would have been soeasy to give them an identity. (See how much mileage Kubrick got out ofhis Alex by making him a Beethoven fan.) Imagine for ex. Harry as aSartre devote, carrying with him at all times L'Etre Et Le Néant. Thatat least would have given philosophical roots to his addiction. Or ifMarion had been sexually molested by her dad when a child. That kind ofbackground detail makes wonders for a character. Instead, all we gothave is people "who like drugs". The only one who explains herself isSara, in the best RFAD scene: she feels lonely.So, a flick good enough to keep me interested but not enough toentertain me or give me food for thought, i.e. a 6/10.

Boris Shteinbock 2012-05-17 05:43:53

Very deep and sarcastic movie. Darren Aronofsky produced a masterpiece.

Darren first caught my attention with his debut "Pi". And now, "Requiem fora dream" confirms that Mr. Aronofsky is growing to be one of the bestdirectors around.Everyone has a dream. But for some the dream becomes an obsession thatsimply takes a life away from the person. That's what Darren shows us inthis masterpiece of sarcasm and bitterness. The movie is not an average "Iam a good person so shed a tear for me for I've run into problems lately"Hollywood style production. The main characters, (An excellent play by allactors) don't deserve pity, they were asking for trouble from that start,miserable youth and TV-addicted lonely former housewife. They can't fightfor their life so they all got what they deserved, for their life wasworthless. And Darren, using an excellent FX and camera work puts theviewers literally beside the characters as they descend to their ultimatedoom. So just embrace yourself for a very dark journey, and think, if yourlife is any better ?10/10

Mr_Censored 2012-05-14 07:34:58

Beautifully Ugly.

Spending 100 minutes with "Requiem for a Dream" is like falling down aslippery slope that never lets up. You'll partake in the addictionswith the characters on-screen and follow the downward spiral thatensues. In just his second directorial effort, Darren Aronofsky hascrafted a film that is both beautiful and tragic, as well asemotionally gripping. You'll get to know and love, as well assympathize with the characters, in spite of their sometimes selfish andignorant decisions, all in the pursuit of improving their own lives. Awidowed TV-junkie, a sheltered young woman with over-bearing parents,the boyfriend who just wants to make his girlfriend happy and a man whodreams of making his mother proud -- these aren't junkies, but rather,victims of their addictions who, as much as they try to overcome it andmake things better, only end up worsening their troubles, brilliantlyillustrating the devastating effects of any addiction, be it narcoticsor otherwise.To say "Requiem for a Dream" is the most effective P.S.A. to date wouldbe an understatement. Show this to any teenager who is even thinkingabout trying hard drugs and you'll likely turn them around. There aremany who have said it before me, but this should be a mandatoryscreening for high school health classes. It's both stunning and trueto life how quickly the lives of the characters get swallowed up intheir addiction, and no matter what walk of life you come from, andeven if you've never tried a mind-altering substance in your life,you'll relate to it in some form or another. Give this film to anyonelacking life experiences, and it will be guaranteed to have a positiveimpact on their future choices.While the film is highly stylized and as drugged-out visually as itscharacters are, it never loses ground or strays from its humanity. Thecharacters are brought to life by a brilliant ensemble cast. Jared Letoand Jennifer Connelly as young lovers trying to make it on their ownare convincing and likable, but it is Marlon Wayans, known for hiscomedic roles, who really shines among the young actors. You may knowhim from "Scary Movie" or "Don't Be a Menace to South Central WhileDrinking Your Juice in the Hood," but his role in this film shows hehas the acting chops and the charisma to break out into more seriousfilm roles. It's a shame, then, that he has yet to do so. Then there'sEllen Burstyn, who plays the TV and food junkie beautifully. Burstyndisappears into her role completely, and delivers a performance thatcan only be described as heart-breaking. Behind all the style,Aronofsky handles his characters with maturity, giving them enough timeto build while keeping up a brisk pace. You may only spend 100 minuteswith "Requiem for a Dream," but its effects will last a lifetime.

cwarne_uk 2012-05-13 10:11:08

Laughable melodrama

Yet another highly praised "hard hitting" film that turns out to be quitefrankly rubbish. Clever editing can't disguise the fact that this turns outto be little more than "Reefer Madness" in fashionable clothes. Asinaccurate about the drug milieu as it is about psychiatry (ECT is done onanaethetized subjects - but obviously that does not film as well). Abysmallywritten and acted - Ellen Burstyns performance is straight out of a 40'sb-movie. Immature and flashy - which probably explains the quite ridiculousIMDB grading.

jhbigblue12 2012-05-09 21:35:39

Left speechless

I was at a loss of words when the credits began rolling. I was sodrained of emotion because it knocked the breath of out me with itsblunt, rawness. The performances were amazing and I was very intriguedthroughout the entire film. At some points I got really emotional,which is rare for me when watching films like these. There's justsomething very special about this movie, that separates it from manyfilms in the 'drug-addiction drama' department. I'm also glad I saw itat this age, because it's a big wake up call and director DarrenAronofsky isn't letting up with his message, and how he wants itportrayed. I will never forget this film.

kdufre00 2012-05-09 08:15:27

The red dress

"Requiem for a Dream" is easily one of the best films of 2000, one thatdeserves to be remembered for many years to come. As I was watching thisfilm for the first time, I was overwhelmed by Darren Aronofsky's boldfilm-making techniques. By the end, however, I appreciated the immediacyand unabashed truthfulness they gave each scene. Despite its oftendiscordant style, "Requiem for a Dream" is a moving film that flowsseamlessly. It contains many disturbing images, but never does anythingseem thrown in just for the sake of shocking the audience. What we getinstead is a deeply felt story about four people whose lives are crippled bytheir addictions.Many people have referred to "Requiem for a Dream" as an anti-drug movie,which it certainly is! It definitely provides a vivid account of how drugscomplicate the lives of the four principal characters, as each slowlydescend into his/her own personal hell during the film's wrenching climax. However, "Requiem for a Dream" is as much a film about human frailty andlonging as it is an anti-drug movie. It wasn't until the second time I sawthis film that I recognized Sara Goldfarb's red dress as a symbol for theunattainable dreams that each character desires to fulfill. The scene whereSara is visited by her son Harry and she tells him that the red dress "is areason to wake up in the morning" really drives this point home. She yearnsfor the time in her life when her husband was still alive and Harry wasstill close to her, much the same way that Tyrone yearns for the comfort andlove he once felt in his mother's arms. Also, in two dream sequences, Harryis seen approaching Marion, who is at the end of a pier wearing a red dress(an image that is used for the poster art for this film). Such an idyllicscene as this is offset by other scenes depicting each character in thethroes of their respective addictions.Ellen Burstyn's fearless portrayal of Sara Goldfarb, the lonely and helplesswidow beset by her addiction to diet pills, gives "Requiem for a Dream" itsemotional center. She deserves all the accolades she has received for thisperformance. Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans also deserverecognition for their committed performances. Matthew Libatique'sphotography and Clint Mansell's hauntingly dark score add immensely to thisfilm. And I really look forward to Darren Aronofsky's future films. With"Pi", Aronofsky made a very promising start, and with "Requiem for a Dream"he lives up to that promise.

Nowhere Man 2012-05-01 12:35:04

I felt like I wanted to kill myself after watching this movie. But it was great!!!

This was the best movie I've seen in a long time. Everyone should bestrapped down and forced to watch this movie. Especially teenagers. Itshows the true face of addiction and that is something that kidsexperimenting with drugs need to see.

dalems 2012-04-30 23:37:50

Requiem is a modern masterpiece of filmmaking

A gut wrenching film,a truly riveting visual experience and a thorough assault on the senses.A graphic and horrifying depiction of the degradation of drug addiction and the sad results of drug abuse.Director Darren Aronofsky pulls no punches as the story (adapted from a grueling book by Hubert Selby Jr.) follows 4 characters who's lives and dreams are shattered through drug addiction.Indeed the movie is all about addiction from Heroin to diet pills to television to food.Each of these characters just wants something to help them feel better about themselves,but they end up losing in the end.Every filming and editing technique known to man are employed to show the high and the crash of heroin and diet pills and it all works too well.Hard to watch and impossible not to.The actors give truly daring performances,pushing the envelope,specifically Jennifer Connelly who is brilliant,especially in the ending sequence which is an operatic display of degradation and misery.An exceptional film.

ilia_skib 2012-04-30 09:11:43

Words can not express...

Words can not express... I have just finished watching this film andcan't shake of the shock it caused. I have stared at an empty screenfor 5 minutes, not able even to cry... This is one (if not THE) of thebest movies I have ever seen in my life. And believe me I am verypicky. Never had been inhumanity towards human weaknesses displayed insuch a brutal honest and shocking way. On the one hand shattered dreamsthat brought into your mind and soul almost physically. And on theother had the sadness for one of the most painful problems in the world: drugs and the way people deal with drug addicts.First the acting: UNBELIEVABLE!!!The characters, which are so complex and yet so simple, are brought bythe actors absolutely brilliantly. Ellen Burstyn is shocking! Herportrait of a lonely aging lady is genius! So intolerably sad. JaredLeto is great showing a plain guy and goodness that can be betrayed andcorrupted buy drugs from the inside and also from the world outside. Jeniffer Connely as a proud uncompromising strong character who becomesthe absolute opposite is amazing. The weakest performance is in myopinion by Marlon Wayans who doesn't seem to live his character in aconvincing way. But then again, his character doesn't have to offermuch.The filming was very original and recreated visually, complex physicaland emotional feelings in a way that I haven't yet seen on screen.The soundtrack is also brilliantly selected and with unordinary soundediting adds much to the movie. To sum up: Highly recommended, but be advised - it is one of the mostdifficult pictures to cope with, mentally.p.s I apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes

Brian-268 2012-04-29 21:45:04

Requiem for a Loser

Disastrous addiction movie that wears out its welcome very quickly. Betweenthe MTV editing (useless split screens, repeated montages, etc.), weakperformances, and aimless story, this morality tale has nothing to offerthat hasn't been done better elsewhere. The over-acting and the pretentiousscript produce numerous moments of unintended hilarity. Destined to becomea future generation's Reefer Madness.

2012-04-26 21:00:47

Welcome to real cinema

The first thing to say is that "Requiem for a dream" is not a movie for everyone. In fact, it is a movie that would only please a minority. People might find it gross, brutal, and too disturbing; that's ok, although I consider it a work of art. Because this is art, to make something new, original, using new ideas, new methods. And that's what Darren Aronofski has done, reaching the status of one of the most controversial and intesresting directors in the cinema industry. And his biggest achievement is that he's made a movie of emotions, something we miss in most of the cinema made today. We feel this movie, we feel its characters and their addictions, and that's exactly what I'm looking for in films. I don't want movies that makes me feel the same way before and after watching it. I don't want superficial stuff that serves as a superficial entertainment for the millions of people who goes to the movies to see the same formula every time. How can that be fun? How can it be an entertainment? This movie is for the "other audience", for the ones who like to be involved with what their watching, with the ones who like watching something new and original, for the ones who are looking for breathtaking emotions. Other thing to say about "Requiem for a dream" is that it's not just an entertainment: it's almost an experiment. An analysis of the conflict between humans and reality, and how our desperation for getting out of the real life and reach our dreams can become the worst nightmare. Aronofski does an excellent, absolutely brilliant job, converting his film in a drug itself. Although it can be highly disturbing, we are somehow addicted to what we are seeing; the director has created the perfect atmosphere for what he's telling; his use of the camera and technology increases the intensity of the images to unexpected levels, putting us right in the middle of the paranoia, a fictitious atmosphere in which there's no space, no time, and no way out.To end, the acting. All of them are just amazing; Marlon Wayans is faithful to his character, giving a convincing performance as Jared Leto's best friend. Jennifer Connelly just blew my mind. She puts all the talent she has (which is a lot) to create a difficult character. Leto is excellent in a complicated performance that goes far beyond any other role he's ever played. And Ellen Burstyn does something in this movie I've probably never seen in any other actor or actress before. She puts body, heart and soul to make a performance that achieves the highest levels of perfection. Her bravery to hold this risky role as she did has to be recognized at every moment. There's no need to say she deserved the Oscar, although it doesn't bother me that much, the Academy Awards will always be a fake.To conclude, this movie is an astonishing, marvelous masterpiece that should be seen by the people who looks for "something else" in movies. Welcome the the pure essence of cinema!

kaplara 2012-04-26 06:47:31

Requiem for my smile...

There are some people who dislike movies which make them emotional; Iam not one of those people. Requiem for a Dream is one of the mostlucid, tantalizing horrors ever placed before my eyes. Forget themonster-slasher movies, forget the bloodstained battlefields, if youwant to shudder at the horrors of human existence, you have but towatch this.The acting is amazing, everyone is good, and Ellen Burstyn is so good Iwill no long watch the academy awards. I will not go into the plotexcept to say it's about drugs, that's all you need to know. This filmis creative, using split screens and wonderful camera work. It neverfeels hokey, and most importantly it makes you really want thecharacters to succeed. The tragedy is so great that it overwhelms you,dulling your senses. The musical score is haunting, and sticks in yourmind for hours after the film.Perhaps the best proof of its greatness was my physical reaction. Thereare a select few movies which have moved me to tears; this moviebrought me to the brink of vomit. Truly this is a cinematic masterpieceof the highest caliber. See it if you have the stomach.~Ryan

Andrius Oleckas 2012-04-24 10:36:31

Just don't do drugs, for Christ's sake

This incredibly shocking movie tells what is the end of a man doingdrugs. It shows all it could be showed about that life and it shows itextremely realistic. There are 4 characters, who somehow becameaddicts: Tyrone, Harry, his mother and girlfriend. They all do drugs,they all have hallucinations but their fate is different.Tyronefinishes as a jail worker, Harry ends up losing his arm because of theblood infection, his mother is being tested by some "alternativemethods" of medicine, because she lost her mind using pills, andHarry's girl does some porno to get money for drugs. The final scenesof the movie are very shocking. They show the doom of the addicts..Shattering scenes I must tell. However, anyone somehow interested indrugs should see it. Afterall it's a great movie

koyaanisqatsi81 2012-04-23 19:55:06

beautifully painful

Requiem for a Dream, The name alone gives it that unique taste. A moviethatdemands your attention, with outstanding cinematography, brilliant script,and painful truths of drug effects on 4 different individuals. A woman,herson, her sons girlfriend and her sons closest friend. The neive motherwanting nothing but to fit into this sentimental "red dress" turns to adoctor for meds that will burn off the fat by keeping her "hyper." Theson,who has an obvious heroin addiction that has him pawning his mothers t.vjust to get a hit. The girlfriend who shares a dream of oneday being afashion designer finds herself selling her body to get high, and the bestfriend who seems to be the guy with all the connections and has asub-conscious separation problem with his youth and his mothers comfort.Allthe characters keep the attention and have you crying for the outcome.You'll love and hate the ending

papastrony 2012-04-23 00:58:05

Haunting and memorable

A haunting and stunning masterpiece-This film should be shown toteenagers in health ed class; I will certainly force my son to view itonce he is 14 or 15. I will guarantee you anyone who does will NEVERexperiment with dangerous, powerful drugs. This film delivers on everylevel until the gut-wrenching climax leaving you horrified; saddenedand a bit sick. If you can stomach it; it is a masterpiece of abuse andthe human condition. The individual performances are all amazing andJennifer Connelly is at her most beautiful best. The visuals areequally impressive; whether you are sober or not. It is amazingalthough not unbelievable at all; the lengths humans will sink torealized here.

CAOP 2012-04-22 22:33:07

Incredible movie

People make the mistake of chalking up "Requiem for a Dream" as a drugmovie. It is a movie about different forms of addiction. Addiction totelevision, drugs, hope, etc. One of my favorite movies of all time.Excellent music too. I am going to use some comparisons here. I hope I dothis movie justice.It is relentless like "Bowling for Columbine." It definitely is anassault on the eyes, ears and mind.It is visually stylistic, like "Fight Club." The visual effects arealways appropriate and effective.It is very un-Hollywood like "Memento." Very dark and edgy.The music is sometimes very emotional and beautiful, sometimes verycoldand harsh. Think "Run Lola Run" meets "The Piano."Once again, this is an incredible movie.