Requiem for a Dream
Starring Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and Christopher McDonald. Written by Darren Aronofsky and Hubert Selby Jr., from Selby’s Novel. Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
I don’t think you could ask for a bleaker movie. I really don’t. Still Aronofsky, who broke into film with his fantastic low-budget paranoid thriller p
(about Jewish mysticism, the stock market and all sorts of conspiracies), has crafted a fantastic piece of work. And I never want to see it again.Jared Leto is Harry Goldfarb, a low-life heroin addict who steals from his mother Sarah (Ellen Burstyn) in order to support his monkey. Harry’s girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are also junkies, and help Harry in his endeavors to score fixes. Eventually the trio of losers come upon a plan that no only keeps them in junk, but finances a studio for Marion as well. Of course, all loser plans soon fall apart, and the trio descends into separate hellish lives. The young leads are all very accomplished, with Connelly shining as the beautiful, but doomed girlfriend. I’ve had a crush on her ever since she starred in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. Marlon Wayans performance here makes me wonder why he doesn’t do more dramatic roles, as he is excellent. The standout of the film is by far and away Ellen Burstyn though.
Harry’s mom is also a loser with a drug habit, only her drug is diet pills and television infomercials. Burstyn is fantastic as the drug-addled Sarah Goldfarb, her appearance going from matronly to absolutely haggard and insane. If Burstyn doesn’t get an Academy Award nomination, then something is really wrong with the Motion Picture Academy.
The author of this piece, Hubert Selby Jr. is probably most famous for his novel The Last Exit to Brooklyn which was made into a film starring Jennifer Jason Leigh. Selby’s work is depressing but realistic, along the lines of Burroughs and Bukowski. In collaboration with Aronofsky he creates a world that is frighteningly real, and terrifically depressing. Incidentally, just prior to the release of this pic, Warner Brothers tabbed Aronofsky to take over the helm of their Batman franchise. From Tim Burton to Joel Schumacher, and now Darren Aronofsky. Who’s next, the Brothers Quay?
This film had huge problems with the Motion Picture Association of America. The MPAA gave the finished film an NC-17 rating, and for once I agree with the MPAA. There is no way in hell I would let anyone under the age of 17 watch this film. On the other hand, it should be required viewing for everyone over the age of 17 who ever thought about putting a spike into their arm. Artisan Entertainment (who banked almost their entire company on the release of Blair Witch 2) released the film unrated, but instructed theater owners to refuse admittance to minors. While I don’t agree with the way the NC-17 rating has been turned into a modern X rating, I do agree with Artisan’s decision.
What’s at the heart of the controversy isn’t the sex, although there is some, and it’s kind of kinky (especially the final sex-scene, which is just disgusting). It’s for the drug use and abuse. Aronofsky uses the same montage scene of quick cuts and powerful images each time a character shoots up, and there are a lot of montage sequences. It’s powerful and unnerving at the same time. Powerful stuff. See it.
My rating: ***** out of 5.