We've got a winner!

Rating: 10/10 (19 August 2011)

Like "Black Swan", another compelling masterpiece by Darren, "Requiem For A Dream" is a descent into madness. Only this is even more depressing, as the characters begin on a high (no pun intended) with there dreams seemingly close to their grasp and feeling great but end up plummeting down to the bottom thanks to addiction, with their dreams coming right down with them. "Requiem For A Dream" is a masterpiece by Darren Aronofsky, it combines everything often overlooked by other film-makers (visuals, sound etc.) to make an unforgettable film that punches you right in the stomach and eventually pushes through right after the credits roll.
So what makes "Requiem For A Dream" so great? Well, firstly, it comes down to Darren's flawless direction. Just like "Black Swan" you feel as if you are going on a harrowing journey with the characters. Instead of just limply watching them, you feel almost as you're there with them. It is startlingly involving. Some of the visuals are very intense, the last half hour is dizzying in its intensity thanks to Darren's manic quick-cutting and Clint Mansell's incredible score. Darren also shows that he has balls by taking risks, the scene in which Ellen Burstyn goes crazy is incredibly well done and was quite risky in the way it was executed. Some might say the scene seemed daft or even quite funny, which is probably intentional, drugs may seem fun at first but they soon consume you like the fridge. Darren also makes clever use of split-screen which brings you even closer to the characters mental-state.
Sound is a medium film-makers often over look, whether it be diegetic or not, Darren uses both to absorbing effect. Clint's score is a staggering masterpiece in itself, it's haunting and always gives me chills (though it doesn't when they use it on "Britains Got Talent"). In fact, music is almost always played over each scene which adds to the hypnotic nature of the film. Sometimes the music will change quite suddenly to give the effect of disorientation, making us as an audience dizzy and slightly insane (I am already). Darren uses diegetic sounds inventively as well, by often using them as a sting over quick cuts, like when the camera slowly zooms in to Ellen Burstyn and randomly cuts quickly off to her popping pills. Darren's inventive style really adds to the intensity of the film. It is edited perfection.
Darren also shows off his writing skills along with the other man who wrote the novel. It perfectly demonstrates each characters descent into complete and utter madness to the point where the emotional barrel is over-flowing. The final scene made me nearly well-up and leaves you in complete awe as the credits roll up. Each character is written in detail as well, it's in-depth which is also why the whole film is so compelling and absorbing.
Ellen Burstyn's performance is also incredible. She deserved that Oscar which Julia Roberts (looks like Coops :) robbed off Ellen. What i don't like about the Oscars is the way they don't go on performance but on nationality or if you've won one already. I'm guessing because Ellen had already won one, they weren't giving her another. I'm sorry but Ellen completely deserved it, her performance is so compelling and realistic. It's obvious that she put a lot of work into her character. In fact everyone puts on an excellent performance which is always great to see.
Some people complain that "Requiem For A Dream" is far too depressing and leaves you feeling "bad". I can guess that most of these people are American wanting a Hollywood happy ending. The sad truth is there is no happy ending to drug addiction, which is why "Requiem For A Dream" is frighteningly honest and truthful. Would it really be realistic if everyone recovered and all there dreams came true? No. If you want to stop, don't start. Although it has an 18 certificate for it's graphic use of drug-taking, shocking images, and sexually explicit images, I honestly think this film should be a 12. Those images are deliberately put there to shock people into not taking drugs, all minors should see this film.
I always know if a film is good if I get chills at the end and I just awingly stare as the credits roll. I defy anyone to come out of "Requiem For A Dream" without feeling any emotion at all. "Requiem For A Dream" is simply a rare masterpiece. It's directing is flawless, with awe-inspiring music and visuals. It's painfully honest and truthful and a harrowing masterpiece. Films like this don't come around very often so make the most of it. See it now!