Great Movie.

Rating: 10/10 (31 July 2001)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I sat down to watch this film. No one I knew had seen the film yet, in fact, few people at all even knew about it. After seeing what a great movie it really is, I'm disappointed that not as many people have experienced it. And for me, it was an experience. Not in a very long time have I been so engrossed in every scene that took place in a movie. It deals so closely with the pain and sickness of the characters that every thing that happens to them seems to in some way effect the viewer.
By no means is this a light film. Aronofsky's direction is masterful. There is a mixture of disturbing imagery, and the scenes themselves, filmed in a fast, jumpy manner give the illusion of raciness that those characters must be partaking in. It's a movie about addiction in its rawest form, and this movie does not pull any punches with the imagery and story.
It's not the most original concept. Movies about drugs and drug addiction have been around for ages, but never before has a movie been so well done and honest on the subject. The acting is incredible. Ellen Burstyn as the mother gives a frightful performance. It is an incredible thing when an actor gets so involved within his or her role that while watching it, you feel for that character and no longer believe it's just an actor doing their part. Jared Leto and Jennifer Connely deliver fine performances. Surprisingly enough, Marlon Wayans shows he can act (I admit I was worried when I was told that he was in this film, I was sure he would undermine the movie.) Everything about this movie is good. Right up until the end, I enjoyed every moment of it. In its genre of movies, it is unquestionably my favorite.
~Christopher