A key film for the new generation.

Rating: 10/10 (16 August 2006)

One of the most influential but somehow underrated movies from the new millennium. "Requiem for a Dream" is not an easy watch because it displays the real horrors of drugs and it's consequences. The events of the movie perfectly show what it feels like to be under the influence of a narcotic or any kind of drug (even alcohol). Through it's running time there's a feeling of sadness, desperation, and fear. By any means the director tries to state an opinion towards the use of drugs; the movie only shows what really happens.
Anyhow, watching "Requiem..." is like being for the first time in a roller coaster because it takes you by surprise and you really feel desperation but you can't stop watching.
The acting is perfect, excellent. Ellen Burstyn's performance always manages to send me shivers. Her performance is impressive, breath taking. Jennifer Connelly also delivers a strong performance. She's always great in her roles. Her eyes have many things to say... She can display deep feelings such as desperation, happiness, sadness, and even confusion. Jared Leto surprised me as the desperate junkie who had potential to be someone in life, but he wasted it. He was very good.
The direction is from other world. I mean, it's genuinely impressive. The director knows how to transfer the character's feelings to the audience. That's not easy even for a movie that is very dramatic. It also blows away the viewer with bizarre and surreal images that are supposedly caused by drugs. Really, some events in the movie truly show what someone can "think" or in this case, hallucinate under the effects of a drug.
I can't praise this movie enough and I believe that there are minimal things to spoil. "Requiem..." should be watched with regular expectations in order to be 100% shocked and pleased after the ending credits. But don't watch this movie for shocking purposes; I mean, watch it as a serious piece of film making that does not tries to prove anything. The whole viewing experience is an instant impact.