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Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
7/07, 6/11
7/07:
Requiem for a Dream starts off slowly as it shapes into a run-of-the-mill drug picture, but the individual characters'
free fall is what makes it extraordinarily haunting.
There's no question that the most outstanding performance goes to Ellen Burstyn as she combines the delicacy of Blanche
DuBois with the madness of Baby Jane Hudson. For a long time, I've thought little of Jared Leto, but here, he digs deep by
pushing himself like never before. In other words, it's a breakthrough role for him. Jennifer Connelly has always been a bland,
albeit beautiful, actress, but she finally hit it out of the park. Ditto for Marlon Wayans who's a veteran of many bad movies.
Editor Jay Rabinowitz has done a wonderful job of putting the film together as a horrific spectacle that it is. It's hard to
forget one particular scene involving Jennifer Connelly which is as fast as a machine gunfire of five-hundred rounds.
All in all, calling Requiem for a Dream as the ultimate anti-drug picture isn't out of the question.
6/11:
Requiem for a Dream is the ultimate anti-drug picture.
Show this one to kids, and you might get some of them to stay away from drug abuse for good. It's also an ADD flick because of
the extensive editing. Typically, a motion picture averages between 600 and 700 cuts, but Requiem for a Dream has 2,000.
I love the camera style throughout which is bold and innovative. The pacing is fast and to the point, magnifying
the extremeness of each scene by tenfold. As a result, the ending is depressingly maniac. While the cast is
excellent, it's been Ellen Burstyn's show all the way through by playing a sad, pathetic character.
All in all, if you need a strong reason to stay away from drugs, legal or illegal, then you should check out
Requiem for a Dream.