Disturbing in every way, shape, and form

Rating: Null/10 (8 July 2001)

Requiem for a Dream, is a film that will have you reaching for the remote........to turn the tv off for all the right reasons. By far, this is probably the most disturbing drug film ever made, because director Darren Aronofsky pulls out all the stops, to make you feel as if you are participating in this drug induced nightmare. He intensifies it minute by minute of screen time, having you experience what these people are going through. A film like this, will not end on a happy note because it will scare you in the sense that you'll never want to see a needle. The performances are top notch. Jared Leto, trying to eschew his pretty boy image, is well cast as a loser with a dream to make money, along with Marlon Wayans (distancing himself from any kind of comedy) as his best friend. The most startling performance by far is Ellen Burstyn, in a role that should've won her the oscar, because it's unflinchingly sad. She plays a woman coming apart at the seams from the beginning, only to have drugs set them off. Jennifer Connelly is a strong actress who ends up whoring herself to make money for her boyfriend's business. This is a film that is worthy to watch in classrooms, if you want to scare your students off drugs forever.