Nightmarish expose of drug addiction

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2006)

A mother (Ellen Burstyn) and her son (Jared Leto) become addicted to drug-taking each in their own way. Mother wants to wear a pretty red dress that doesn't fit any more so she goes on a diet and an uncaring doctor gives her pills to take. The unemployed son is involved in drug trafficking as a means of support and when he feels he needs a lift a quick jab with a needle seems to do the trick.
We watch the slow degeneration of the two characters as their addictions take hold. In a schizophrenic frenzy mother starts imagining she is on stage at the television station with the audience wildly enthusiastic about her presence in her lovely red dress and the son is developing an infection on his left arm at the site of the multiple injections.
Mother and son love and care for each other in their unhealthy states, the son advising his mother that the pills she is taking are dangerous and addictive and that she should give them up. Mother believes the doctor knows best so she doubles up on her doses. Her mind then becomes very troubled indeed. The refrigerator (with the food in it) starts jumping towards her. Or so she believes. It's a frightening experience for her Parts of this film are not for the squeamish. Injections are bad enough but when the needle goes into the son's suppurating ulcer it's a disgusting sight and the electric shock treatment on mother's brain is terrible to watch. The two characters are obviously fading fast and are on a road which leads straight to hell.
The photographic effects of mother's delirium as she imagines events from her past life and as a TV watcher projects herself into the limelight of notoriety are extremely well done. Also, when the son is at a low ebb and injects himself, we almost feel the sense of relief that he is feeling as we watch the fleeting images on the screen.
The two main characters mentioned above hold the viewer throughout the film. The other characters also well played illustrate how so many others suffer in their association with their drug-addicted friends. There is a sense of hopelessness in the whole film despite the efforts of over-worked medical staff. Addiction is a much used word in the world today and the future looks grim.
This is a truly professional film in every way. It presents a serious challenge and the message is clear..