Themes: Drug Addiction, Self-Destructive Romance, Mothers and Sons
Main Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald
Release Year: 2000
Country: US
Run Time: 102 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
Based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr., this gritty drama concerns four people trapped by their addictions. Harry (Jared Leto), and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are impoverished heroin addicts living in Coney Island, NY, while Harry's girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) is a fellow addict trying to distance herself from her wealthy father. Harry dreams of scoring a pound of smack, from which he could make enough money to open a clothing boutique with Marion, but so far he and his friends can barely scrape by supporting their own habits. Meanwhile, Harry's mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn), who spends her days watching television, is told she has the opportunity to appear on her favorite game show; wanting to lose enough weight to fit into her favorite red dress, she visits a sleazy doctor who gives her a prescription for amphetamines. Soon Sara has a drug habit of her own that is spiraling out of control. Requiem for a Dream was directed by Darren Aronofsky, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Selby; it was Aronofsky's second feature, following his acclaimed independent film Pi. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
On the surface, Requiem for a Dream appears to be the next in a long line of junkie movies, and even on that level, it's one of the most visceral depictions of addiction ever put on film. But at its core, Darren Aranofsky's sophomore effort is a tragic fable, the story of four characters who haven't got the will to be happy with what they have. But sympathy isn't something Aranofsky ever asks his audience to feel for the four hopeless addicts. Rather, he forcefully imposes the characters and their stories on the audience with the intent of leaving an impression. And leave an impression he does. One walks away from the film with an indelible mark on the psyche that isn't necessarily pleasant but certainly testifies to the realism and intensity of the film. As if the abilities of Aranofsky aren't enough, the film's cast shines in some of the most underrated performances of 2000. Jennifer Connelly delivers, as expected, in a role that most wouldn't have the guts to even consider. Jared Leto proves himself to be more than just a pretty face and capable of taking on leading-man roles. Marlon Wayans, easily the biggest surprise, is incredible, superbly cast against type and proving himself to be highly skilled as a dramatic performer. But it is Ellen Burstyn who deserves the most acclaim. In what may be her finest performance to date, Burstyn effortlessly portrays her character's decline at the hands of loneliness, false hope, and prescription medication. Nominated, but ultimately beat out, Burstyn's performance is worthy of a thousand Oscars. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
Randy Simon - Co-producer, Scott Vogel - Co-producer, Jonah Smith - Co-producer, Scott Franklin - Co-producer, Laura Jean Shannon - Costume Designer, Darren Aronofsky - Director, Jay Rabinowitz - Editor, Ben Barenholtz - Executive Producer, Nick Wechsler - Executive Producer, Beau Flynn - Executive Producer, Stefan Simchowitz - Executive Producer, Ann Ruark - Line Producer, Clint Mansell - Composer (Music Score), James Chinlund - Production Designer, Matthew J. Libatique - Cinematographer, Palmer West - Cinematographer, Eric Watson - Producer, Hubert Selby, Jr. - Screenwriter, Darren Aronofsky - Screenwriter, Kronos Quartet - Musical Performer, Hubert Selby, Jr. - Book Author
