Requiem for a dream outlines the life of four Coney Island residents and their addiction to drugs.

Rating: 9/10 (21 October 2013)

Requiem for a dream- "A tragically beautiful piece of music mourning the loss of an unrealized dream." Of course its all conjecture, but if I were to guess this would be my interpretation of the title.
The movie opens with an introduction to Harry and Sara Goldfarb, an overindulged young man whose only concern is his next fix and a doting single mother who yearns for her son's well-being. Sara's only escape from the drudgery of her routine suburban life is her daily escape through television, in particular a weight loss show called 'Juice by Tappy'.
The carefree, drug fueled existence of Harry, his gorgeous girlfriend Marion and friend Tyrone sets up a sharp contrast to the lonely, ordinariness of Sara's life, her obsession with television, and her diet fads. We are seduced by a life of excitement, danger, rule breaking, youthful dreams with endless possibilities, drugs and sex. The glamour of these drug- induced utopias make Harry and Tyrone's schemes seem like a means to beautiful possibilities. This constantly switches between the manic lifestyle that Sara's desperation to lose weight has led her to. Her depression and loneliness is alleviated by an unexpected invitation into a world of glamour, however this soon gives way to an anxiety that she no longer fits in. In her desperation we see her becoming completely reliant on 'diet pills'. Morning, noon, evening, night, morning, noon, evening, night, morning, noon, evening, night. She spirals further and further down the rabbit hole of addiction, tragically unaware, she seems to think its a harmless quick fix. As her body wastes away she is plagued by paranoid delusions. Even through this, she remains oblivious. A true success story in her mind. Alternately, the youngsters are constantly on the prowl for their next fix. The failure of their schemes, leaves them desperate.
The movie is a work of art. Each scene is carefully choreographed visually and the soundtrack and sound effects and meticulously planned. The intensity of the mood created because of these visual and musical elements is quite magical. Reminiscent of the drama of a Scorcece film and the lurid quality of a Fincher film, it comes together in a remarkably artful way.
The characters are rich and complex and each of the performances are arresting. Jared Leto and Marlon Wayans are believable, genuine and surprisingly endearing. Jennifer Connely is BEAUTIFUL, fragile and feminine. But Ellen Burstyn steals the show! Her performance is lurid, and gut wrenching. A startling and touching portrayal of a woman without love or companionship, a life of longing and complete neglect.