don't believe the hype!

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2002)

OK, so its pretty good. Anything based on a book by Selby would have to be worth watching on pedigree alone. But despite what you've read, it's certainly not the best movie ever made. I think that if you watch tons and tons of movies, as most IMDB users undoubtedly do, then of course "Requiem" stands out from the usual, mindless dreck. But it's not all that. The performances are good, especially from Burstyn and Connolly, but I've seen this kind of thing done better, especially in "Last Exit To Brooklyn", another movie based on a Hubert Selby Jr. novel. You want to talk riveting, check out Jennifer Jason Leigh in that film. Editing's good here, as it was in "Pi". Is it just me or is Aronofsky making his reputation more on images rather than content? Pretty to look at, this film. My friend has severe ADD/OCD and she was even able to sit through it. All in all, "Requiem" is worth a look or two. Not a masterpiece, but I give it an 8.