Satisfying As Well As Disturbing

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2002)

Darren Aronofsky's brilliant adaptation of Hubert Selby Jr.'s novel (unread) is definitely punishing but there's a wealth of innovation and analysis to reward the serious viewer. Aronofsky and his cinematographer and editor (Matthew Libatique and Jay Rabinowitz, respectively) employ a series of cinematic tricks (split-screen, different aspects of motion and lighting) but somehow they don't seem gimmicky at all--everything is employed to tell a complex story about the plight of addiction in the most efficient way possible. The film centers on a bright, likable Coney Island junkie, Harry (Jared Leto) and his widowed mother (Ellen Burstyn, in a role she isn't quite able to pull off until midway through but who devastates thereafter) who becomes hooked on speed believing she will be on television. Also figuring prominently are two other junkies, Harry's girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly in a very brave performance) and best friend (Marlon Wayans, also very fine). Each character delves deeper and deeper into a shared hell and it's to the writers' credit (both novelist and director wrote the screenplay) that none are able to escape into death's forgiveness. Yet Aronofsky and Selby are not interested in providing a moralistic after-school special; there's a clear identification with each character and you come to understand the motivations even if the choices seem woeful. Despite its relentless grimness, the film leaves you satisfied: there's a lot of pleasure in Aronofsky's technique and a very real sense of being impressed as well as shaken.