Requiem for a Dream

Entirely forgettable

I have watched this movie many times and never tire of it. There is only two movies that I can say "PERFECT" #1 Blade Runner #2 Requiem For A Dream. If you haven't seen it, you're in for a huge treat. Not for kids at all.

This movie is very powerful. It is almost a sure fire way to make sure that you never do drugs, it's that good. It also has phenomanal acting and directing. Seriously see this.

This is the response to Alex Proyas's "Dark City." What if you go from a small patch of light into hell? Darren Aronofsky repeats his seven-rapid-repeated shots technique from Pi in this painful film, "Requiem for a Dream" adapted from a story by Hubert Selby Jr. by Selby and Aronofsky. He also plays tribute to the shot of Jennifer Connelly at the end of a pier from Proyas's "Dark City" (it is even the same pier). The film is painful to watch, but difficult to call "beautiful," for it fails to say anything new. Its soul message: drug addiction dehumanizes you and kills relationships. This film documents four character's abandonment of hope, and ends at the twilight of their despair. The four principal actors do excellent jobs, and in a better world Ellen Burstyn's performance would have been carved out of this film's context and awarded an Oscar. Jennifer Connelly also delivers an excellent understated performance of how drug addiction can affect the shallow. Sara Goldfarb (Bu... Read more

After watching this for first time, I thought to myself, "Wow, with some appropriate editing, this ought to be required viewing for high school students as it's probably one of the best "anti-drug" presentations one could ever see. Young filmmaker Darren Aronofsky takes a depressing subject and makes "entertaining," if that's possible. Aronofsky uses stop- action/fast forward techniques, sound effects, hallucination scenes, etc. all to make this a good movie for the senses. A warning, though - a couple of scenes are anything but fun to view. It can get rough. Ellen Burstyn is outstanding in this film and many people who viewed this thought she should have won an Academy Award for her performance. Boy, if she doesn't scare you away from taking diet pills, nobody can. She's the only one in this film that is actually fun to watch. Jennifer Connelly can be one easily ogled by us guys but she plays so many sleazy, unlikeble roles, it's tough to warm up to her. Jared Leto, meanwhile... Read more

I recently watched "Requiem for a Dream" and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. For an hour and forty minutes, I was glued to my television and could not look away. When it was over, I just sat there, dazed. This film is truly amazing. Almost everything about it was incredible. First off, Darren Aronofsky is an AMAZING director. The brilliant camera work helped create the frantic mood of the climax of the film. The acting was also very very good. Ellen Burstyn's performance was fantastic as a hopeless widow who has very little reason to live until her life becomes consumed by drugs. Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Waylans, and Jared Leto also had powerful performances as addicts who just wanted to find true happiness. This film is graphic, disturbing, emotional, violent....and brilliant. Warning: this film is NOT for casual movie fans who want a Hollywood film. Anyone who watches this film will probably feel depressed, shocked, or like me, blown away. If you can accept all this,... Read more

I expected this film, permeated with the sense of human downfall through means of legal and illegal substances and methods, to be more in-your-face, but no. Instead, this film is heart-felt, warm and lucid, at the same time as it’s living Hell. The direction is radiant with audacity and calm; there’s nothing here to indicate that director Darren Aronovsky is trying too hard or, indeed, too little. The absolutely brilliant soundtrack (yet again delivered by Aronovsky’s long-time cohort Clint Mansell, this time with The Kronos Quartet) delivers a massive backdrop to the unpredictable scenery. Avant-garde quick clips between iconographic imagery are used to punctuate movements in time (e.g. person getting high on drug). The acting is acute and good. This is like a story you want to end, but when it has, you keep it in your heard and mind forever. Please, see this.

This movie is tough to watch, but it's a very good film.

This is a very disturbing film about the use of drugs and the effects it can have on people who use them. The director, Darren Aronofsky, does a fantastic job of letting the viewers become a part of the lives of four drug addicts. Without a doubt, this is not an uplifting movie and it seeing it on a date with another person will probably ruin your night. But that's why it's so great...drugs will make you miserable and they will also ruin your life. That's the feeling you get with this film after you watch it. It's powerful and depressing, and you may not want to watch it a second time. I would recommend that this movie be a part of every high school, and that it be a mandatory viewing for all high school students. I guarantee that they will never come near these drugs in their lifetime after they have seen Requiem For a Dream.

This is the most intense movie I have ever seen. Everything is great about this movie. The acting, the directing, and the cinematography truly great about this film. Aronosfky makes you feel the characters pain with his direction.

A little graphic, but I think it is well worth the money spent to see it. I think this is a movie every parent should show their kids if they want them to stay off drugs! Jared Leto surpised me...he did a great job acting!

The finest acting in the oughts (2000 to 2004) so far---the Academy shamefully overlooked Ellen Burnstyn. Her performance is the heart of this incredible or difficult film. You will not believe your eyes when you see what she goes through. Jennifer Connelly, Jared Leto and Marlon Wayans (appearing in his first dramatic role) are equally believable in this anti-drug film that does not glamorize its subject matter in the least. And it's brilliantly directed--you feel as if you are on the drugs with the characters, because of this direction. A perfect film.

Unusual film and unique in the execution and camera angles..This is a very adult film with very adult themes. This is not a feel good movie and can be depressing at times..it does get 3 stars for the sad realism of it all.

5 stars, but a reserved 5 stars. An excellent movie that was also incredibly offensive and revolting at the same time. Why, you ask? The depictions of the lows of human nature which the characters enter are 100% revolting and disgusting. If you have a weak stomach, are opposed to depictions of sex, violence, drug abuse, etc., by all means DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. For those who can appreciate the extremely strong anti-drug message in this movie and stomach watching it, you will not want to watch it again. Once is enough. However, one of the primary reasons I give 5 stars is its possible service to those considering/experimenting with/involved in drug use. If you catch your teenager using or experimenting with drugs, preview this movie and STRONGLY consider making them watch it. It is offensive, but it can serve a purpose. For that, and the fact that it is generally well made, I find I must give it a great rating, despite the fact that I wanted to vomit.

Shoot me for saying this but I found nothing entertaining about this film at all. This is not the kind of film you watch if you've had a great day at work. Seeing such an amazingly talented actress like Ellen Burstyn dripping with sweat as she declines into a revolting drug habit and watching Jennifer Connelly perform a lewd sex act in front of a bunch of horny men was definitely not my idea of entertainment. Not something I would want in my DVD collection, it can stay on the shelf.

This was an amazing film. I thought that the cinematography was fantastic, and all though it was quite graphic, the reality of it was very raw and drew me in. It is emotional and depressing, but enthralling and very well done. It is most definatley a movie that you need to watch closely and pay attention to- it is deep and detailed. 5 stars without a doubt.

This movie shocked me to no end- firstly because its in-depth, graphic look in the far-reaching use of drugs in America and secondly because the acting was incredible. By far one of the most depressing films ever but obviously the point of this film is not to entertain. It is an unconventional, disturbing piece meant to cause you to think. This film dragged me through so many emotions from disgust to empathy to nausea to extreme sadness. It is clearly not a mvie for the faint of heart as the depiction of these character's lives is relentless and painful. But its acting is magnificent and its storyline touches a deep chord in the heart.

Wow. This film was amazing, a true masterpiece. This movie really shows how drugs will destroy your life. The unique way the movie was filmed is what makes it so great, from each character's point of view. Yes, the ending is devastating, but what do you expect. Drug addiction usually doesn't lead to a happy ending. Even if you don't like sad movies, this movie will fascinate you and hold your full attention until the horrifying ending. This is one of the most powerful movies I have ever seen..

A disturbing, brilliant and heartbreaking movie. If anyone labels this as just another drug movie, they need to look deeper to see that Requiem shows how someones pursuit of happiness can become an addiction. Ellen Burstyn is someone you would never forget as Sara Goldfarb and in the end, it was painful to see her slowly....rot. This movie must be shown to high schools when there is a lecture on drugs. Unfortunantley, due to some graphic content, that will probably never happen.

Have to rate this a 5 just because of Ellen Burstyn's amazing acting alone. It is quite unusual to have a movie be so thought-provoking and hopefully will be a wake-up call to some who are into drugs. I had no idea what this movie was about when I put it on and it was surprising, depressing, but very outstanding and well done.

I would recommend this movie! It almost made me cry at the end!

this was a very downer of a movie. Ellen Burstyn was good as a bored older woman who gets hooked on diet pills and then goes on to worse drugs.she also yearns to be on her favorite game show. her son is also into different drugs. we see them slowly get worse until it is pretty hopless for both. No happy endings here A hard movie to watch.

Who needs DARE when you have this movie?! The performances were awe-inspiring. The message of the movie was one of the most poignant I have ever seen. It is shocking and very disturbing, but important much like Schindler's List was. You don't want to see this stuff, but you need to in order to understand the world and what can be done about what we don't like. I wondered about the validity of the hospital scene, thinking that I can't imagine it would be legal to send him to jail instead of at least treating the infection. I realize the point they were making, but it was already made by that point. What would have worked even better is if the movie were longer, showing how the son got involved in hard core drugs in the first place. I showed this movie to my kids, while having to explain what I believe were the gateway drugs before heroin. They got the message I hoped they would, it feels good but the temporary good feelings are not worth the cost. Also, addictive drugs are add... Read more

this was a greatly powerful movie i used to be a user myself but have since cleaned up my act and that movie hit on every nerve of emotions i wet through and all the pain and suffering felt real. so real. almost to real well thats it this was a good movie

one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen! I like the story though.

A very hard hitting, relentless and sad film. The acting is superb especially by Burstyn who deserved an Oscar and another 1000 awards. The directing and editing is just marvelous. I love this film.

Never has a film moved me so. I watched in awe the whole time. But the thing is, storyline=very average. Characters=so-so. But the filmmaking...f*ckin unreal. I would kiss the ground this director pisses on.

First let me get a few random words of advice out of the way: 1) Don't see this movie on a first date, 2) Don't eat dinner while watching this movie, and 3) Don't see this movie expecting to feel good afterwards. "Requiem for a Dream" is one of the most disturbing movies I've seen. Everything about it makes you uncomfortable - the downward spiral of each character, the relentless music, the jagged filming and editing techniques... everything. The acting performances are universally excellent. Ellen Burstyn, especially, gives an amazing performance as the lonely widow and mother who falls victim to a diet pill addiction. This is clearly not a movie for everyone, but it's hard to give such an unconventional, powerful film anything less than five stars.

This is a pretty rough movie and one that the far right will not point to as one that glorifies drug use. It follows the downward drug spiral of four people: the diet pill popping mom, her early twenties son looking to turn his addiction into a successful drug business, his girlfriend who is estranged from her wealthy parents and desperate to score, and his friend and business partner who is trying to make his mother proud. The acting is brilliant (particularly Ellen Burstyn), the story is heart-wrenching and stomach-turning, and the cinematography is powerful. I really can't say whether I would recommend this film. I would just say be prepared to be moved.

this movie is truly an incredible piece of art. I can not say this movie was an "enjoyable", but it is both unforgetable and haunting. While some people reviewed this talking about the lack of nudity, that is totally not what this movie is about. the acting is incredible, and elly burstyn should have won an oscar for this. also, the music is so important to this movie, especially in creating the mood. This includes the incredibly stunning last ten minutes. This is definetly a director we should be expecting great things from in the future.

ive never had a movie touch me as much as this one has. one of the most depressing movies i have ever seen, but one of the most honest movies i've seen. this a movie about drugs and how they can destroy a relationship between a mother and her son, two best friends, a perfectly happy couple. after this movie was over, i was in awe. i didn't know what to say. i didn't know who had it worse. i was just amazed. leto's performance was amazing, and it was great to see marlon wayans in a serious role ellen... man, just everyone gave an outstanding performance. great, great score too. beatifully directed. i'm shocked that they didn't take home any oscars. one of the best movies i have seen scince american beauty.a must see...

Brilliant and disturbing. Ellen Burstyn's riveting performance is the core of this voyage into the hell of addiction. Aronofsky's camerawork is over the top but it works wonders in contributing to the overall effect in creating a sensory drug experience.

Wow. So, I wasn't sure what I thought about the movie until I read the reviews that completely bashed it. For those of you who believe there was no story line, you're wrong. For those of you who wished you had seen a "more wholesome" movie, maybe you should have. And for those of you who felt like either puking or walking out (but didn't!) I completely agree. That's what makes Requim for a Dream such a good movie - it catches you where no other movie has caught you before. It tells it to you like it is, and not how you hoped it would be. It's truthful, and it's amazing.

As a person with some retired habits of a highly questionable nature, I feel comfortable informing you that this film does justice to the desperation and hopelessness of heroin addiction. The movie comes from the book by Hubert Selby, Jr. Jennifer Connelly and Ellen Burstyn give exceptional performances. This was as uncomfortable as I have been while watching a movie since seeing A Panic In Needle Park. It was so powerful that I didn't realize I had seen a great motion picture until much later in the evening. One of those films that makes you feel like you need a shower immediately after viewing.

If this movie had continued for another 10 minutes, I would have had to walk out. It was so uncomfortable, so disturbing, so relentless, that it was really almost too much to handle. I recommend this movie only if you are not easily shocked by things - if you can get past the brutal, graphic, hopeless story line, you will find some excellent acting, and a beautifully directed film. Ellen Burstyn is outstanding as the aging, tolerant mom, turned diet pill addict. I do not recommend it as a first date movie.

i mean, what was this movie supposed to be about anyways? all i could think of was how much hotter jared leto used to be when he was on my so called life because now he got too skinny and is not even a hunk. and all the stuff him and his friends were doing was dumb because why didn't they just drink forties instead? i didn't know that the girl was a homo and she tricked jared leto the whole time, basically i wish he could have found a nicer girl to make a life with...i'm a pretty happy person and when it was all over i just wished i has seen center stage instead. now that is my kind of movie. more wholesome. do you guys know what i'm talking about?

well what to say... "do i give this movie a high rating becasuse it effected me so? or do i give it a low rating because it didn't effect me in a nice way? do i give it a high rating becase it changed me --in a blunt painful way--for the better? or a low rating because i didn't feel good about the fact that the whole fcking movie was about drug addiction and the fact that drug (andother) addictions don't usually end happily? Hmmm... this is a dilemma... i'm just really not sure.. i mean, i like puppy dogs, and there were none... that's a minus.. also i enjoy chocolate sundae's with peanuts on top, and i think the best i got was a shared icecream cone during the summer segment-- also the whole summer fall winter thing was stupid, becasue who wants to be left off in the middle of the cold winter! what happened to spring huh? i like spring, and the blooming of flowers like everyone else! everyone likes flowers!!!!! and yes, todd, i also agree with your point about nudity-- it woul... Read more

Visually, this movie was nice to look at. The acting was very good, but unfortunately, there was NO STORY LINE. The pieces of the movie didn't really tie together like they could have, things were done more for the visual effect. The movie ended abruptly with no summing up of what happened or what might happen. If you want to see a movie of the Hollywood version of drug use this is a good movie for you. It's more like a first class MUSIC VIDEO.

This movie was brilliantly made and could go either way. Either you love it or you hate it. Even those who say they hate it won't dare take there eyes off of it from beginning to end. One of the greatest movies i ever saw.

This film could quit possibly one of the most brilliant motion pictures ever made. No movie has ever made me feel the way this one did. I read the book over a year ago and this is one of the best book adaptions ever. Director Aronofsky is the next Stanley Kubrik. I cannot get over the performances ,the visuals,the score out of my head since I saw it. This film will stick with me forever. Beautiful,dark,scary,depressing and brilliant.Can you smell the Oscars? Mmmmmm...Oh and buy the way if you are seeing this movie just because you might have a chance to see T and A DO NOT GO SEE IT. Not only is there none but this movie is not about sex. It is about love, more specifically love gone wrong. NC-17 does not nesacarily mean nudity. Requien is a highly disturbing beauty of a film and if you are the T and A type who goes to a movie just so they can go home later and masturbate over the pair of breasts you saw instead of seeing it for the brilliant film it is Do NOT GO! You can still love som... Read more

It is really great to see a movie that doesn't cop out at the end. "Requiem For a Dream" played at my local "art" theater (for far too short of a run)for about a week. I saw it twice. The first time I was completely blown away. I don't remember being so disturbed by a film. I loved it. Ellen Burstyn should get more than an oscar nomination. I can't remember when all of the aspects of film making came together so well as w/ the ending of that film. Selby is a great writer. I can't imagine his words being put into film more effectively. Wish I could see it again for the first time!

FOLLOW UP -- Regarding one of the recent above posts that is somewhat misleading...while the sex scenes in REQ are far too short and few , there is quality nudity (you'll just have to frame by frame it at home via DVD come January) and while we all have differing views , I certainly felt this movie was about about two classic vices, SEX and ADDICTION not love whatsoever...if the male lead actor had any love for his mother he wouldn't have chosen the dead end road toward being a junkie !! The impression most presented in REQ is also how girls can use SEX as a weapon for a variety of needs and wants i.e MORE DRUGS. In retro and now having seen it a second time, I would've liked to have seen also more of the flaky game show host perhaps as a connection by which Jennifer C. could score with him to get more drugs. The stereotype of negroes always being the kingpins while it has a level of accuracy to it, has in fact become quiet stale. I still wish the vegematic choppy edits could have slo... Read more

Movies like this you don't give five stars because they're warm and cuddly and safe. I give it five stars for the honesty of its portrayals of the various downward spirals of addictions to heroin and speed. Add dazzling and substantial direction and editing by Darren Aronofsky which really puts you in the head and wasted bodies of addicts to four of the most stunning performances I have seen all year. The result is a film to love and appreciate for its high quality and absolutely unflinching honesty. At one point, watching a drug addict shoot up in a car, I absolutely could not watch. Any movie that makes me squirm usually has performances that engage me so much I am moved beyond being lackadaisical. In, say, Scream by contrast its like "Oh gee, he cut a stomach open." Kudos especially to Ellen Burstyn who can out-act nearly everyone else on the planet. Unforgettable as a diet-pill addict desperate for a shot on national tv.

This movie goes to the extremes on all fronts. What a rad show!

This is a GREAT film, not so much for the story content, which has been done before and will be done again, but for its presention. This is an all-out assault on the senses... visually, audially, emotionally. Ellen Burstyn gives an Oscar caliber performance that has you living her descent into addiction and psychosis right along with her. This is one actress Hollywood should start paying more attention to... her best work may still be yet to come.

The first time I watched this movie I have to admit I was quite disturbed. The direction, script, acting and music were done so well that the emotional bang that hits you in the end is almost too much to bear. It was done so well that I was as close as I have ever been to walking out of the theatre because of the feeling the movie gave me. When the movie starts to spiral into the darkness that is the character's lives, you clench your fists together and pray for some glint of hope. The second time you watch Requiem for a Dream, you notice how beautiful the character's lives were at the beginning, and how the this time around its less disturbing and all around more depressing. A beautiful movie all around.

Drug addiction is a kind-of-overdone genre. And the many flashy camera sequences at times annoy. But all-in-all this is a very good film. It emphasizes the power of drugs to overtake families, relationships, and even the most modest of dreams. I liked the way that dope is shown as a substitute for something else for which the characters are looking. The ending is very well done and doesn't cop-out with a feel-good resolution. Ellen Burstyn is incredible, and I certainly agree with an earlier post that she deserves an Oscar nomination. The other cast members also perform well, with Jennifer Connelly especially strong.

I have no clue how to start. The movie is breath taking. Not only was there a superb case (including ellen burstyn, jennifer conelly, jared leto, and marlon wayans) but the effect the movie had on me was amazing. I had just finished reading the novel and immediately had to see the movie. the reality of it makes you sick to your stomach, but the reality keeps you from turning away. Marlon Wayans perfomed astoundingly well, a major turn from his somewhat comical roles he normally assumes. Ellen Burstyn's performance brought me to tears. I would highly recommend this show to any true movie fan.

The 5 stars is for originality and intensity. But be warned, there is no sugar-coating of the characters' descent into dead-end lives. The actors were astoundingly good, esp. Ellen Burstym and Jennifer Connelly ,who I believe both deserve Academy Award nominations. Some parts border on the pornographic, but not in a titilating sense. . . it is unsparing at the utter depravity the main characters each sink into. Before I saw this, I thought Dancer in the Dark was the most depressing and harrowing movie of the year, but this one might be the most harrowing of all time. Vey much an anti-drug movie, but way beyond the "Just Say No" stage.