Powerful anti-drug movie is a masterpiece

Rating: 9/10 (8 March 2019)

Many of the techniques used in this movie (a lot!) would now be very familiar to watchers of music videos and horror, whilst others would be similarly familiar from other sources. However given this movie is now over 17 years old one has to wonder at the genius who created it. The techniques never throw the overall continuity or conformity to style out of whack, and strangely, despite the radical nature of the techniques, the movie never really descends into farce or comedy, attaining a satirical line above that perhaps, especially because we sympathise with the lead characters all of whom are basically good, but more than that, telling its story with heart, sincerity and determination. It's almost operatic toward the superb end. The important message comes across thanks to the casting characters and their very honest performances, from normal to disintegration. It's an eccentric movie, a joy to be swept away in. It's also seriously disturbing by its end and not suitable for children of any age. It's a timely swipe at the times it represents as well, the dangers of suburban isolation and loneliness in New York in 2000, and has a profound cultural importance. For movie buffs this is a must see.