See it, then good luck trying to see it again

Rating: 10/10 (6 June 2011)

IMDb Top 250: 62
Have you ever been scared by the aura of a movie? Requiem for a Dream was my first. Right from the start, I knew this was going to be a VERY memorable experience. And I knew it wouldn't end nicely.
Obviously, Requiem is about drugs and their effects on people. But this is different, all the good has been cut away, leaving the gritty, terrifying core, addiction. Requiem is one of the bleakest films I've ever seen.
This is a four-actor movie, and everyone pulls their weight. Most viewers will relate most to Harry, Jared Leto's character. He has the friend, the girl, family- just wants to make things work out. He also has his habit... The other three actors ( Burstyn, Connelly, Wayans) all step up to show three other sides of the addiction game.
Mrs. Goldfarb's story is the saddest, as she isn't even knowingly ruining herself. Ironically, she is the loneliest, despite seeing the most people during the film's events.
Two other things complete this essential viewing: the music and the camera-work. You've probably heard Lux Aeterna somewhere else, but the rest of the soundtrack is one of the best ever. Seriously, go listen to it right now. It will haunt you. Forever. Progressively it gets louder and more intense, as the character's scenarios change in the same direction. The camera-work works similarly, with shorter and shorter scenes until the climax. Also, very good use of split screen.
Requiem for a Dream's plot is such a downer, you have to see it for yourself. And since there's not really anything like it, you won't be able to prepare yourself.
*Edit* Just saw it for the third time, still a masterpiece. Another thing jumped out at me this time: the makeup. The characters look like HELL, and it looks so real. Harry's gangrenous wound... Also the ending is just as shaking and unnerving as ever. You cannot get desensitized.
Very few films are as powerful as this one. 9.7/10