If possible, please leave criticism in your comments so that I can improve!!
If possible, please leave criticism in your comments so that I can improve!!
Member since:28.05.2003
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The name 'Requiem for a Dream' inspires, in me at least, visions of a Shakespearian period drama. This definitely is not what Requiem for a Dream is.
Instead, it is a film very much about the pursuit of dreams, and the addictions that occur as a result.
Adapted from Hubert Selby's 1978 novel of the same name, Requiem.. follows four characters in their journey from Summer, through Autumn, and finally to Winter. As is almost inevitable, given the darkening of the days as the year edges towards winter, these characters have troubled times ahead. The word 'requiem' itself, as I'm sure you're aware, is the name given to hymns of mourning, and so the title 'Requiem for a Dream' hints at the demise of optimism.
The film begins by introducing us to two of the main characters, Sara and Harry Goldfarb (played by Ellen Burstyn and Jaret Leto), mother and son, in Sara's apartment in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. It begins with a scene that you may have scene parodied in various television shows (Family Guy for instance), where Harry is taking his mother's TV away to a pawn broker for money with which to buy heroin. We later meet the other two characters: Harry's best friend, Tyrone (played by Marlon
Wayans), and Harry's girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly). Marion, along with Harry, is a heroin addict.
Life goes well for the four during Summer. Harry and Tyrone go into business as drug dealers and start filling a shoebox with a lot of money, aiming to become drug barons. Marion uses some of this money to open a shop to sell clothes of her own design. Sara gets invited by a television production company to appear on a future episode of her favourite gameshow, "not for the prizes, we're going to give them away, I just want to be on TV!".
These are the characters dreams that they eventually become imprisoned by. As the film suggests, addictions can take many forms, whether they are physical as with the heroin, or simply an ideal in your mind that you cannot let go of, or perhaps a memory. Sara becomes obsessed with wearing a red dress she bought years ago, into which she no longer fits. On the advice of a friend, she consults a weight-loss doctor, who prescribes her 'special pills' that help you lose your appetite, and in doing so joins her son and his friends, with their drug habits. Around this time, Summer gives way Autumn, and I shall leave the rest for you to watch.
The film has a unique directing style, particularly in the way that it uses camera 'cuts' - where the shot changes to a different camera at a different angle. It uses visual effects such as split-screen, having two shots of different views side-by-side. A clever example of this is where Harry and Marion are lying facing each other, at arms length. You think at first that they are close together, but Harry reaches out an arm and it disappears in the middle of the screen, with the hand to reappear just next to Marion's hair. If you can picture that. The film also pioneered the quick-fire shot change: takepill,eatgrapefruit,turnonTV. This was also used in Guy Ritchie film 'Snatch', and in many others too I'd imagine. Indeed, the film has the dubious title of 'Most Camera Cuts' in any film, which some think of as a negative thing, others not. Either way, it's certainly effective.
The soundtrack to this film, written by Clint Mansell and performed by Kronos Quartet, is incredible. It's rare for the score for a film to be used outside of that film, but this one has taken on a cult following. It has been used in all manner of situations, from adverts for the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, to throughout Top Gear's Polar Special episode. The most famous sections of the soundtrack are the 'Overtures', which feature very piercing strings. I could give the soundtrack a review in its own right, but here is not the place. Needless to say, I would recommend this film on the strength of its soundtrack alone!
The acting in this film is, in my opinion, faultless. That is to say, I find no fault with it. There are a few minor characters, such as Big T, a pimp that one of the characters finds the need to visit, who have slightly cheesy scripting, but in the main it's utterly convincing.
The settings for the film are similarly great, lots of it being shot outside with great views of Brighton Beach.
Requiem for a Dream was criticised for glamourising drugs. You may have heard this criticism and so look upon it unfavourably, or be put off it. If this is the case, let me tell you that in no way does it glamorise drugs, it really puts you off them utterly.
This is one of my favourite films ever. However, it is by no means an easy watch. You may come away from the film feeling utterly destroyed, so hopeless for life that you feel it not worth it. You may not, but don't say I didn't warn you. Despite that, it is well worth it, perhaps it will give you renewed warmth and gladness for your own life. In any case, it's great to get to know these people and their story, however fictional they may be. One thing that unsettles me about the story, however minorly, is the asymmetry of the seasons - the fact that there are only three. Three's an odd number, and not the number of seasons in a year. Leads me to think that there may be a Spring in these peoples' lives, following on from where the film ends. I guess we'll just have to imagine the rest.
You can pick this film up easily, currently retailing at £6 on amazon.co.uk.
P.S. When (not if) you watch this film, you may notice that in the show that Sara always watches, the presenter says there are three ways to change your life. He tells you the first two, but we never get to see the third. I know what it was, please let me know if you find out too;-)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
This was a well written review and the film sounds right up my street. You asked for critisism - the only thing I would suggest is watching the spacing between paragraphs. It can make it slightly more difficult to read. It may also be helpful to know where we can pick up the DVD and for roughly how much.
Fantasy mixes with the harsh reality of addiction and the desire for hope inRequiem for a ... more
Dream. Beginning at the dawn of a new summer in Coney Island, the film charts the relationship of Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn) and her son Harry (Jared Leto)--tw...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Fantasy mixes with the harsh reality of addiction and the desire for hope inRequiem for a ... more
Dream. Beginning at the dawn of a new summer in Coney Island, the film charts the relationship of Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn) and her son Harry (Jared Leto)--tw...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Darren Aronofsky follows up his acclaimed debut Pi with this gritty emotionally charged ... more
film set amidst the abandoned beaches and faded glory of Coney Island, Brooklyn. Based upon the novel by celebrated author Hubert Selby Jr., the story intricately l...
Darren Aronofsky follows up his acclaimed debut Pi with this gritty emotionally charged ... more
film set amidst the abandoned beaches and faded glory of Coney Island Brooklyn. Based upon the novel by celebrated author Hubert Selby Jr. the story intricately ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: A lot of people seem to like it, for whatever reason Disadvantages: It is certainly not for everyone. You either love it or hate it, it seems
![Requiem For A Dream [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78542471.jpg "Requiem For A Dream [DVD] [2001]")
Aug 15th, 2007
very helpful by (100%):
