"I don't think you'll be puttin' any more dope in that arm."

Rating: 10/10 (1 January 2011)

Excessive drug use inherently destroys human bodies, destroys human lives, destroys human minds, and kills human dreams. We all know it. But people habitually do it anyway. What follows is a bleak downward spiral of decay and despair.
That's exactly what this film entails: four characters who suffer from their habitual addictions. By the end of the movie, it seeps nothing but bleakness and sorrow off the screen and really pounds it into the viewer. Combined with an extremely stylish visual style, the film has the power to grab you and stay with you long after the credits roll. It is that powerful (at least to me).
The story is pretty simple and is populated by acceptably well-developed characters (ones who seem fairly realistic though). What makes it stand out is the presentation; the photography is vivid and always interesting to look at. Editing techniques are just as varied and wild, especially in seeing rapid-fire successions of close-up shots. The use of sound accentuates the wild visuals very well. The music is freaking epic.
By the end of this film, I was thoroughly saddened. It is definitely a bleak and sobering look at addiction and obsession, and it has affirmed my resolution to never pollute myself with drugs or meds. I would encourage everybody to watch this film at least once in your lifetime.
5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 4.5/5, film: 5/5, emotional/intellectual impact: 4.5/5)