Requiem for a Dream: Review

Never have I seen a movie so emotional and depressing, yet so strikingly original and enthralling. Requiem for a Dream begins with a delicate, old lady by the name of Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn) being terrorised by her adolescent son Harry (Jared Leto), as he attempts to take her television in order to buy heroin. The film then goes on to show how Sara's obsession with her television along with being slim has a drastic and incredibly negative impact on her life, which is juxtaposed by Harry's on-going drug abuse and obsession to become rich.

It's important to know that this is far from an "easy-watching" kind of movie. Requiem for a Dream rapidly becomes incredibly dark and gritty, with drug sequences being uniquely stylised and presented in an almost terrifying manner. Particularly towards the end, the film becomes excruciating to watch as the characters fall deeper and deeper into their addictions, with any form of escape dwindling away. 

Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn)

The film does an excellent job of showing how different people become enthralled by different things, but whatever it is that captures your attention, it is important not to abuse it. For example, Sara's television is cleverly linked to Harry's girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly), as both characters depend on these things to achieve happiness. But, like the drugs the film portrays, these sources of happiness soon don't raise the individuals to the level they would like, so they resort to other more harmful means. 

Requiem for a Dream is more of an experience than a movie. There are countless unique and creative means of showing what is happening littered throughout, and it is all accompanied by a musical score that rapidly changes in order to mimic the on-screen contrasts. 

Verdict
Requiem for a Dream is by far the best "anti-drug" movie I have seen. Despite drugs such as heroin and cocaine being featured throughout, the film does in no way glorify them, in fact, it is the complete opposite. It will definitely be too much for some people, but I would really recommend watching Requiem for a Dream, especially if it applies to you in some sort of way. 8.5/10

"Harold, I'm going to be on television!"