Whats your fix?

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2005)

"If there's ever a TV junkie it's the old lady ..."
Aronofsky's harrowing tale (based on a novel by Hubert Selby Jr.) of four respective addicts walks a fine line between 'MTV movie' and progressive independent storytelling that uses technology to help it's cause. Ultimately its comes through unscathed, powerful and thought-provoking.
Hip-hop montages used during shots of drug taking/ t.v. watching (Sara's addiction) weave the two separate stories together as the four characters head towards their final demise. These and the various camera techniques used through the film really might have resulted in an ultra-stylized piece of work that was impossible to penetrate and appreciate the stories that were developing. However the balance is perfectly achieved and the camera work works to develop the characters, (the close-up of Marion leaving Big Tim's house and throwing up, as well as Sara stumbling down the street in a shot that would almost be more suited to a music video come to mind) as opposed to rendering them secondary to the various techniques on show.
The first time I watched this film was in the kitchen of my university halls. Gasps could be heard as the film entered its film grueling final sequence. Silence reigned supreme when it was over. It truly is a powerful film and hasn't lost its affect on me on subsequent further viewing. Ultimately though IT IS NOT A DRUG MOVIE. Its focus is on the characters and the battles they are having with their addictions ... whether that be dope, prescription drugs, television or the longing to be young, popular and happy and again.
The performances in the film are all that could asked for. Ellen Burstyn is a t.v. addict widow who gets a call telling her she will be appearing on her favourite show. Burstyn portrays Sara's descent to ultimate insanity, via prescription slimming drugs, brilliantly. Although much has been made about it, it has to be said that it is refreshing to see an older woman in a lead role and Burstyn handles the responsibility admirably; her performance the stand out in the film. Jared Leto plays Sara's hapless but well-meaning son Harry. The desperation of his situation comes through perfectly in his performance as he struggles to support his best friend Tyrone (Wayans) and his girlfriend Marion (Connelly); although I am not quite sure how he actually handles the scenes where he starts crying. Connelly has the same desperate cloud hanging over her character, as the bright but ultimately doomed drug addict designer. Wayans pulls out a great display and shows he can handle 'serious' film making as well as his Wayan's bro comedies.
Aronofosky has a create a truly mind blowing (really hate to use that phrase too!!) piece of art here; the joy of this film is the story that shines through the stylized exterior.