Movie Review: Requiem for a Dream

There are movies, and then there are MOVIES and Requiem for a Dream fits into the latter category. This monster of a film is profoundly disturbing and instantly unforgettable, definitely not for the weak hearted. One of the most powerful movies on the prevailing drug culture, Requiem takes you on a journey to hell with no respite in sight. Visually it’s a nightmare like no other, so prepare yourself a truly gut wrenching experience.

The film opens by introducing each of the main characters. Harry (Jared Leto) and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) live a hand to mouth existence because of their drug habits and their lives revolve around trying different ways to get their next fix. Harry’s girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) is also addicted and joins them in most of their exploits to score their next fix. The fourth main character in the film in Sara (Ellen Burstyn), Harry’s mother who’s addicted to television. While watching one of her daily soaps she is taken in with the opportunity of appearing on television, and from then onwards spends all her energy on losing weight and trying to fit into her favorite dress. She does this with the help of medication procured from a sleazy doctor, and in the end is addicted just like the other characters.

The movie offers a telling insight into an addict’s mind and reveals the physical and emotional turmoil that takes place within. Drugs replace every sort of emotion for these characters and are the basis for their relationships with each other. I honestly can’t even begin to imagine how these characters would behave if they weren’t constantly injecting themselves with something. While all of them have their demons to cope with, director Darren Aronofsky does offer a glimpse into  each of their dreams and aspirations and we’re shown a more human side of them as well, rather than the drug consumed one in the rest of the film. However, the grisly and brutal climax clearly shows that each of them has reached a point of no return and nothing can bring them back from the depths of hell that they’ve put themselves into.

Aronofsky’s treatment of his characters is brutal and uncompromising to say the least, and he isn’t afraid to lay them bare and expose all their flaws and inconsistencies. The actors on the other hand, are absolutely brilliant and Ellen Burstyn in particular, steals the show as a hapless pensioner consumed by the hellish experience of drug addiction.


All in all, this movie is depressing so don't expect any happy endings. What you can expect is some awe inspiring cinema that will be a benchmark for similar movies of its kind in the coming years.

Prepare to be sucker punched.