This film is brutal

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2002)

In my opinion, very few movies whose subject matter surrounds drugs, are actually able to paint an accurate look at the people who live them. Don't watch "Requiem for a Dream" thinking that everybody will live happily ever after. No. "Requiem for a Dream" shows us when there is no hope or a chance to start over. Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans all give superb performances. Ellen Burstyn's character, Sara Goldfarb, goes by just about everyday of her life watching Tabby Tibbons(Christopher McDonald) on her favorite television show and imagining herself as a contestant. She sees that the only way she can do it by taking these dietary pills just so she can fit into her red dress. It isn't long before the diet pills and television start to consume her life and she soon enough takes a hike down the road to addiction. She has a slowly fading relationship with her son Harry Goldfarb(Jared Leto). It seems to me that the only time they talk is when she is trying to convince him to not pawn the television so he can get drug money. Harry's drug-induced fantasies on the boardwalk are some of the more disturbing parts of the film. Harry's best friend Tyrone(Marlon Wayans), is trying to expand into the drug trade. This is probably the most disturbing part of the film for me because I have never seen Marlon Wayans(nor any of his brothers for that matter) in a really serious film role. He plays Tyrone so convincingly, that you can pretty much forget about "Scary Movie". The ending scene with Tyrone is probably one of the best parts about this movie. Jennifer Connelly however, who plays Harry's girlfriend, Marion, is probably the shining light of this movie. Her Golden Globe for best supporting actress and her Oscar-nomination for the same category in the much recent "A Beautiful Mind" prove she is a very good actress. I will not forget the scene where she is at the party.
To sum it up, "Requiem for a Dream" scores a 10 in my book and is now one of my favorite movies. I am looking to buy the Director's Cut DVD so I can experience this movie to its fullest.