A powerful and daring vision

Rating: Null/10 (5 January 2011)

I see a lot of films these days. I am a big fan of films so I feel an obligation to see what films have made an impact out there. Most of the films I see I end up liking simply because I knew there was something to like. But only maybe a few times throughout a year do I see a film that I stop and say WOW to. Requiem for a Dream is another one of these rare great achievements that makes me savor and appreciate this art form and how powerful it can be.
A film does not have to have themes or messages that it tries to convince the viewers of. Sometimes a lot of great films do, and in their own ways it works, but even when seeing a film like this it is not hard for it to truly sink into your conscious. I have seen many films where they have a certain visual power that really hits deep, most notably films like 2001 A Space Odyssey or Mulholland Dr., or even Aronofsky's own recent Black Swan, yet when looking at all of these films by their own each one stands out. I love films like this, and I know it is not everyone's type of aspect that they like, but I do, so it is to be expected that I was mesmerized by this film.
The storyline itself is not important, it is the experience as I have always said. Seeing as it has been 10 years since this film came out, i can only imagine what type of reaction it took. Whatever opinion someone has of it, it is unforgettable. Someone might read that statement and say how self-indulgent it sounds, but ambition is certainly not missing here. Aronofsky is a true artist and now has two ground-breaking films under his belt- Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan (I am cautious not to let out the little word called 'masterpiece' on just one viewing). For a visionary films like this it is important for the director to make it worthwhile, but Aronofsky is also able to pull off great performances from his actors (Rourke in The Wrestler, Portman in Black Swan, and Burstyn here). Burstyn is not just great, she achieves everything needed and more.
The ending in itself is brilliant, and when the film ends one should not speak anything because it is so hard to. The film is in it's own way disturbing, mesmerizing, captivating, and extremely powerful, and should be seen by anybody who loves movies in general.