Incredible, intense .....

Rating: 9/10 (22 May 2001)

Putting my opinion into words is a challenge, because I just shut the DVD player off about an hour ago yet my mind hasn't wandered away from the images on the screen -- I haven't come back, as corny or pretentious as that sounds. The bottom line is this: This film tells a story with such poignancy and graphic detail that you wonder how anyone could craft such a work. I was amazed.
The four main players (Burstyn, Leto, M. Wayans and Connelly) were all outstanding. Burstyn has been lauded for her efforts, and yes, she probably deserved the statue more so than Julia, and Marlon Wayans surprised me with his performance. Their portrayal of addiction, in one form or another, carried incredible impact without being over the top.
The editing was another outstanding aspect. It was concise, not flashy, adding intensity to subject matter that was intense in its own right.
I made sure I saw "Pi" before I watched this, to see the chronological progression of a promising filmmaker. "Pi" is interesting, quite good; this was amazing. A realistic, if not depressing, look at the downward spiral the less fortunate in the world call life.
Darren Aronofsky, I tip my hat.