Tasteless, sensational, self-consciously unglamourous film.

Rating: Null/10 (22 May 2002)

I can't imagine anyone will leave this film without feeling something. I watched it with my wife and, by the end, I wanted to be sick. I loved Aronofsky's other film, PI; it was good for all the reasons RFAD was bad. PI is subtle, agitated, thoughtful and elegant. RFAD is brash, intentionally unpleasant and, frankly, unrealistic.
What is the point of showing the old lady getting electro-shock therapy? This movie IS NOT one flew over the cuckoo's nest. It claims to be about drugs, but in actual fact it is about three deeply selfish people messing up their lives. Who wants to watch this?
I thought about it, and realised that there is not a single nice moment in the whole film. Some people will tell you this is the point of it. I can't agree. I think the point of this film is to try and make a film truely unwatchable. It comes very close. I wanted to turn it off several times. I only kept watching to see something good happen (it doesn't) and to listen to the score (which is wonderful).
Why did these actors get involved with this project? Ugly, ugly, ugly. I can't remember a film I have enjoyed less.