Flawed, but thrilling film-making

Rating: 8/10 (24 April 2011)

Amazing on a purely cinematic level – assaultive, hyper-kinetic, full of breathtaking images and cuts, The performances too range from good (Jared Leto) to extraordinary (Ellen Burstyn).
But for me, after a while, the style becomes the substance, and I'm ever more aware of the filmmaking rather than the story and characters,
Also, other than 'drugs are bad', I'm not sure what Aronofsky is really getting at. There are interesting implications that our real addiction is to our dreams, and escaping whatever our reality is, but those themes are never fully played out. So we end up with a film made with the technical skill of a Scorsese or Kubrick, but missing a layer of depth in favor of (admittedly amazing) pyrotechnics.
Last, it feels like the film 'cheats' more on reality as it goes along. By the end the story twists start to join the style in being over the top, and a bit illogical.
Now, all that carping aside, I still recommend this film for it's bravery, performances, and technical virtuosity. And it grew on me on a 2nd viewing. And I'm a fan of Aronofsky's. But I'm in the minority in admiring this film, but not being able to completely embrace it.