Anyone who hates this film has problems...

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2007)

I saw this film for the first time ever just a year ago, and I was mesmerized. I've never seen actors throw themselves into roles the way the ensemble did in this film. Ellen Burstyn was simply amazing and heart-wrenching as the mother of drug user Jared Leto. She is a Brooklyn Jewish mother whose dream is to be on television, and gets it with a phone call that gives her a new-found energy for life. However, her favorite red dress no longer fits, so she turns to diets and eventually diet pills, which she becomes addicted to. Her son, along with his girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly) and best friend (Marlon Wayans), are all addicted to heroin, and become sellers to make money for their dreams. They all become more and more addicted and begin to do whatever to stay in the high.
As I read the other comments about this movie, it is a stark difference in people. Some people found it to be a simply moving experience that they will never forget, while others found it unrealistic and crappy. All I have to say is here's a list of people who won't like this film:
1. People who have great health insurance and think hospitals and doctors are your friends and only want to help you no matter what;
2. Drug users (part-time or full-time) who don't think drugs are addictive and harmful (or in denial of it);
3. Sheltered people who have never done drugs in their lives and think it can't be that bad;
4. Brain-washed idiots who want happy endings and gumdrop smiles for all; and
5. Rich people who don't have to make money to survive the week, and can afford luxuries like food, health care, and vacations.
Anyone who knows about being poor and not having every privilege in life will at least understand the message of the film, and that is the power of addiction, loneliness and poverty, and how it can mess up your life and make you go after anything to change it, or at least to find that one little bit of happiness, a reason to get up in the morning.
I won't give away what happens in the film, but just think this: don't sit there and say situations can't happen because it's impossible and no one would EVER do that because of procedures and rules, because if you can't afford to be taken care of, you won't be. That's all I'll say about it.
To the haters of this film, I'm sure Hope Floats and Pretty in Pink are still waiting to be rented. Let the real people enjoy their movies in peace.