A TV set for mummy

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2004)

A requiem is a 'a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person'. Is it the death of a dream, of the death of someone because of his or her dream?
Whichever case, I would watch this film again because it does show real humans all the way from shear innocence, up through their emotional richness and combats, down to the numbness of it all. It reminded me of the movie-documentary made in 86 about Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, a band close to my heart for guys and girls of my generation. In both cases, the grandeur that seems accessible at a certain times in life (no matter what age), and even easy to grab, brings unexpected downfalls, generally not reversible. Incidentally it was right on the spot within its most minute details. The 'TV set for mum' episode struck me cause it reminded me of a colleague of mine turned in no time into a cocaine addict-dealer and of the huge television set he had offered his mum for Christmas... Same social background as in the film, same legitimate ideals turned into megalomaniac transfer leading to decay, possibly to death. I have traveled a lot and made a point in keeping clean, but I have met more than one kid who didn't and I'm still amazed on how fast drugs can drag you down the drain. I do not see the plot as exaggerate, but as very well documented. I was not shocked by it, I was impressed by its honesty and almost scientific clarity. I loved the hip- hop pulse, clear, bright images, very appropriated to the feel of the message. I have no doubts it is a testimony against drugs, from someone perceptive and well documented. This movie is realistic, beautifully brought together, vivid and yes, alive. The good thing about DVDs is that you have special features, interviews (one of Hubert Selby) and insights in the making. There's only one likely scenario with drugs, and old Selby as well as young Aronofsky have written and directed it for us, majestically.