Ugh.

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2001)

Glad I saw this film. Never want to see it again in my life. I'm not sure why Hubert Selby Jr. has taken it upon himself to present us these basically likable people and subject them to such nerve-ripping torture and misery. Sadism, perhaps? This is not to say that there aren't beautiful elements in the film. I could go for miles on the "Summer" section. Ellen Burstyn's speech on growing old and being alone is extraordinarily sad, and the friendship between Jared Leto and Marlon Wayans is a true joy. Wayans' energy is simply wonderful. And Jennifer Connelly? Oh, my. It truly is a shame that there aren't more women out there with her looks and her energy, and confidence and sexuality. It's even more shameful that the ones who are are all spoken for. But I digress. I can understand the point this film makes: addiction is bad. (Boy, never heard THAT before!!) But it also points out many of the legal addictions that many commentators seem to have forgotten: chocolate, coffee, television, drink, food...longed-for letters in the mailbox, the desire for money, music, sex, love, hope... It would be nice to have some kind of light of hope to hang on to. But it seems as thought Aronofsky just wants to subject his viewers to nausea, revulsion(do we really need to see a needle jamming into a festering purple sore? or a sexual degradation done THAT explicitly?!?), and a depression so intense, you just want to jump out the nearest window. Ugh. Nice vision of "Summer," Darren. And incredible artistry and editing. Now, PLEASE, for the rest of us, give your sadism a rest and give us images of real beauty. I'll settle for ninety minutes of staring at Jennifer Connelly in that red dress at the edge of the pier, or just have her staring at me. But keep me away from movies like this one!