Today’s quick review: Requiem for a Dream. Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto), his girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly), his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans), and his mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn) all have ambitions: to deal drugs, to open a dress store, to be on television. Buoyed by a steady supply of drugs, they make plans for the future. But as addiction sets in, their dreams slip out of reach, and even basic existence becomes a struggle.
Requiem for a Dream is a psychological drama about drug addiction and the terrible price it exacts. The film follows Harry Goldfarb and three of the people closest to him as drug use eats away at their lives. Requiem for a Dream features a harrowing plot, stylish presentation, and a memorable soundtrack by Clint Mansell. The film explores themes of loneliness and desperation through characters who inch closer and closer to total collapse.
Requiem for a Dream immerses the viewer in its story using an active directorial style. Director Darren Aronofsky’s bag of tricks includes split screen shots, drug montages, time-lapse sequences, and rapid cuts between parallel events. Drug-induced hallucinations give the film a disturbing edge beyond just its grim subject matter, while skilled performances and a steady progression from bad to worse gives the film all the dramatic weight it needs.
Still, Requiem for a Dream has a very particular flavor that will not match everyone’s tastes. Its unsettling tone, disheartening story, and heavy stylization make it a rough watch that sensitive viewers will loathe. The struggles of its characters are realistic but far from universal; depending on the viewer, they may not resonate fully. The film also uses blunt instruments to drive its points home, undermining the subtlety of its craftsmanship.
But for the right viewer, Requiem for a Dream is a skillful fusion of presentational style and emotional substance. Give it a try when you have the fortitude to put up with a heavy watch. Stay well away if you prefer lighter movies or more uplifting dramas. For a drama with similar themes and a sci-fi twist, try A Scanner Darkly. For a masterful drama with less disturbing subject matter and a core of hope, try The Shawshank Redemption.
8.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for harrowing drama and polished presentation; your score will vary according to how well the drama resonates with you.