Review of Requiem for a Dream (2000) by Sebastian M — 06 Mar 2014

Darren Aronofsky's stylish direction for this gritty drama makes this one of the most depressing and one of the best films about the terrors of drug addiction and the reality of crushed hopes and dreams.

Requiem for a Dream takes place in Coney Island, NY in which four people are subjected to the awful world of addiction. The first is Sara Goldfarb, an elderly lonely woman living in an apartment. She is obsessed with a game show, in which this is the only thing that makes her excited and seems to have a lot of value in her life. She gets a mysterious call saying that she will be on the show and because she is plump, she decides to lose weight to fit in a red dress in order to look nice. Sara constantly mentions her late husband Seymour, thinking he would be proud of her. She buys diet pills that seems to be working but she develops a terrifying obsession with them, becoming emaciated and eventually begins to lose her mind.

The other three are Harry, Marion and Tyrone. Harry is Sara's young son who is a drug addict with his girlfriend Marion and best friend Tyrone. They have hopes and dreams of being successful and having a much better life, but their addictions are a large obstacle in life, causing them to do anything, including degrading sexual acts and imaginations of violence and thievery, to keep their habits. Sara has an unrequited affection for Harry and she knows their relationship is complicated and she hopes for him and Marion to have a great life, get married and have a grandchild, perhaps to fill the absent void and desire for comfort in her life. He wishes too, but doesnt wish to do it yet.

Basically, the film is about the downward spiral of four people who wish to achieve their goals in life, but ultimately suffer the unfortunate consequences of their addictions. The score is beautiful with a touch of chillingly disturbance. The film is a disturbing feat overall, but very necessary even though some might find it hard to stomach. The performances are one of the best things about this film.

Ellen Burstyn, who plays Sara, gives an Oscar worthy performance (she was nominated, but lost to an equally deserving Julia Roberts), as is Jared Leto as Harry. Marlon Wayans gives his best performance ever and Jennifer Connelly is excellent as well. Each character is thorough and relatable.

Sara hopes to reach confidence and happiness, something to give her to live for besides her son. Harry and Marion hope to be a happy couple, to live the American Dream as anybody in love would. Tyrone hopes to keep the longtime promise he made to his mother years ago as a boy.

Requiem for a Dream is not for the faint hearted, but it is an important film that will teach a valuable lesson in life.