Best Movie of 2000

Rating: 10/10 (15 May 2001)

Erin Brokovich? Traffic? Cast Away? Please. The problem with movies like Gladiator, Cast Away and the like with getting recognized at awards shows isn't in the fact that they are the "best" movies but that they are the ones most have seen. If the same could be said of "Requiem for a Dream", audiences would say that this was the most deserved film for at least direction and actress if not best picture as well.
I love Julia Roberts and am happy she finally won an Oscar but she pales in comparison to Ellen Burstyn's performance here. Furthermore, let me say that while Ellen not only deserved to win but that her three co-stars deserved nominations. First, Jared Leto was amazing and has never shown such range in acting (but to his credit he has never had the script to work with either); Wayans is someone that I could do without normally but here he takes a despicable character and actually makes him very human and sympathetic (that is great acting); and finally Connolly is amazing and definitely deserving of a best supporting actress nod for her wicked turn as the good girlfriend gone bad.
The only downside to this movie is that it revels in the despair and never shows any signs of coming out of the depths of hell, but that is the wonderment of the movie. The fact that we are submersed in doom and gloom and still find these characters intriguing and sympathetic tells me that this is a powerful story. Furthermore, it is amazing to me that Aronofsky was able to do the direction he did and go totally unnoticed by everyone! Shame!
Best movie of 2000 without a doubt. Sorry Billy Elliot. You have my number two vote though.