Movie should be shown in every school!!!!

Rating: 10/10 (2 December 2000)

This year was such a so- so year for movies that this movie should win Best Movie Oscar, Best Actress Oscar, Best Actor Oscar...etc... This movie is simply powerful. If you ever wanted to do drugs or have done them, after you see this you will never look at a needle or a blunt or even a cigarette ever again!!! Every teenager should see this movie. After I left the movie I was shaking. The plot is simple. It takes place during a whole year, broke up season by season. It begins in the summer. There are 4 main characters- A mother (Ellen Burstyn) who loves her son and is still mourning her dead husband. She lives all alone in her apartment. Well, she gets a call to appear on tv and that's when it starts to go down hill for her. Wanting to lose 50 lbs and fit into an old red sexy dress, she goes to the doctor for diet pills.. aka- Speed. Then there is her son (Jared Leto) who is on his way to become a junkie with his friend (Marlon Wayans) who deals and also does drugs but not to the extent for his friend. Then there is Jared's girlfriend (Jennifer Connoly) who is the daughter of a rich fashion district mogel who is in love with jared and the same goes for him. She also does drugs for fun. They come up with the idea that if they start to sell drugs, they will be able to make money and become something. From here the story moves fast through each season to their final downfalls. NO matter what anyone says, this movie is incredibly real, almost like a documentary. The acting was incredible. They all did fantasic jobs but the most surprising of the bunch was Marlon Wayans. He really can act with being foolish or joking. Ellen Burstyn will be nominated for an oscar. All these 4 actors should. You must, MUST see this movie. It is very disturbing but so real and sad. You feel for the characters because they are all people you would like. They just want happiness in their lives and to live for something. Unfortunately they think drugs are the way. If I was a teacher in a health class I would show this uncensored depiction of how drugs can ruin people with such promise and hope. See it!