Intense, dark, deep, moving

Rating: 7/10 (9 May 2001)

Some people don't like films like this. They call them depressing. I have to say that I find a lot of happy, jolly, false stuff unbelievable and depressing a lot more than stuff like this. Admittedly, Requiem is frighteningly intense in places; but this is a quality which is rarely found nowadays; only Magnolia in parts and oddments of Fight Club compare to this in terms of nerve-shattering emotional intensity. Or perhaps Monkey Trouble. Only joking :).
Ellen Burstyn plays a lonely widow & mother named Sara Goldfarb who becomes addicted to diet pills in an attempt to make herself presentable for a TV appearance she applies for. This becomes the focus for her lonely existence. Aronofsky skilfully compares this with the lives of Sara's son, Harry (Jared Leto) and his girlfriend and friend who are all regular Heroin users. Marlon Wayans in particular is fantastic as Harry's friend Tyrone, but the star is undoubtedly Burstyn who, especially in the second and third parts of the story, had me in almost constant tears.
I really can't recommend this enough. I think you know if you'll appreciate (key word that) this movie.. if you think you will, don't for god sake miss it.
Stunning..10/10.