An acquired taste, takes more than a once-over

Rating: Null/10 (2 December 2004)

The acting is superb and realistic, thus, the fact that the movie did not receive higher acclaim was disappointing. The filming style was different and added a bizarre touch supported by the ominous soundtrack. Everything done within the movie complemented, the in-your-face camera angles and the bitter reality that goes along with the addictions faced with the four protagonists.
Jared Leto is perfect as the confused Harry along with his lonely mother, Sara Goldfarb played by Ellen Burstyn. As well as his girlfriend/best friend and fellow junkies Marion and Tyrone, played by Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans. This is tastefully done time-line of the unraveling of the lives of junkies, the audiences watches with their jaws dropped as the lives of the protagonists decay, flourish, and end up in new twists showing a shocking view that a "clean world" normally doesn't see.
So, kudos to Hubert Selby jr. for constructing this mindbend as well as a congratulations to Darren Aronofsky for masterfully directing it. I myself cannot bring myself to watch it very often, it is indeed disturbing, yet amazing. It is like something revolting that you know you shouldn't look at but you want to, you need to. Like watching Discovery Health during gastric bypass or open heart surgery while eating lunch, unable to resist the mystery and turn away. Truth does seem to be better than fiction.
Overall Requiem for a Dream is a stunning and utterly creepily amazing film...However, I do not recommend those of you who are afraid of things "outside the box", who are close-minded, or those of you who immediately dismiss things that aren't "normal"...Land Before Time (1-10,000)addicts and A Cinderella Story fans, this means you.
This movie needs to be watched more than once to fully appreciate. Not everyone is going to like this artistic film that leads down a path of self destruction through addiction.
Best of luck those of you who wish to rent it, take it off the dusty back shelf, or purchase it. It's one hell of a trip.