Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Produced by Eric Watson, Palmer West
Screenplay by Darren Aronofsky, Hubert Selby, Jr.
Based on "Requiem for a Dream" by Hubert Selby, Jr.
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald
Music by Clint Mansell
Cinematography: Matthew Libatique
Edited by Jay Rabinowitz
Production companies: Thousand Words, Protozoa Pictures
Distributed by Artisan Entertainment
Release date: 27 October 2000  (USA)
Running time: 101 minutes
Country: United States
Budget: $4.5 million
Box office: $7,390,108

"Requiem for a Dream" is a drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on the novel of the same name by Hubert Selby, Jr. It tells the story of drug addicts who are ruining their lives step-by-step.

Cast

• Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb
• Jared Leto as Harry Goldfarb
• Jennifer Connelly as Marion Silver
• Marlon Wayans as Tyrone C. Love
• Christopher McDonald as Tappy Tibbons
• Mark Margolis as Mr. Rabinowitz
• Louise Lasser as Ada
• Marcia Jean Kurtz as Rae
• Sean Gullette as Arnold
• Keith David as Big Tim
• Dylan Baker as Southern Doctor
• Ajay Naidu as Mailman
• Ben Shenkman as Dr. Spencer
• Hubert Selby, Jr. as Laughing guard
• Darren Aronofsky as Visitor

I'd heard about the film long ago but I was scary to watch it as I'd thought "Requiem for a Dream" was too merciless. However what was my surprise when the film didn't create a wanted impression upon me. Yes, it was interesting to observe main characters destroy their lives but that was all. With all due deference to Darren Aronofsky, I have to say that "Requiem for a Dream" wouldn't become my favourite film. 

It's important to mention that today Jared Leto's acting is much better ("Dallas Buyers Club" (2013)) than it looks in "Requiem for a Dream": not every movement or intonation seems or sounds believable. But acting of Jennifer Connelly (Noah) and Ellen Burstyn saves the picture.

Advantages

• Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb
• Jared Leto as Harry Goldfarb
• Jennifer Connelly as Marion Silver
• Darren Aronofsky

Disadvantages

• An orgy

"Strangenesses"

• Going mad

Clue Moments

• A dream to become a star
• Drugs amd money that drive crazy

Any addiction only causes problems - it's no matter you notice it or not. When an object of a deep passion becomes a fixed idea it doesn't mean anything good: a person sees merely ways to satisfy a desire and nothing else. It isn't a life, it's an inadequate existence.

The main theme that is shown in the film is drug addiction which is widely considered a pathological state. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behaviour, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) has categorised three stages of addiction: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. These stages are characterised, respectively, everywhere by constant cravings and preoccupation with obtaining the substance; using more of the substance than necessary to experience the intoxicating effects; and experiencing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased motivation for normal life activities.

Soundtracks

1. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Summer Overture
2. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Party
3. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Coney Island Dreaming
4. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Party
5. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Chocolate Charms
6. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Ghosts of Things to Come
7. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Dreams
8. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Tense
9. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Dr. Pill
10. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - High on Life
11. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Ghosts
12. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Crimin' & Dealin'
13. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Hope Overture
14. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Tense
15. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Summer - Bialy & Lox Conga
16. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Cleaning Apartment
17. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Ghosts - Falling
18. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Dreams
19. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Arnold
20. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Marion Barfs
21. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Supermarket Sweep
22. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Dreams
23. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Sara Goldfarb Has Left the Building
24. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Fall - Bugs Got a Devilish Grin Conga
25. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Winter Overture
26. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Southern Hospitality
27. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Fear
28. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Full Tense
29. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - The Beginning of the End
30. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Ghosts of a Future Lost
31. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Meltdown
32. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Lux Aeterna
33. Clint Mansell feat. Kronos Quartet - Winter - Coney Island Low

Quotations

* * *

Sara Goldfarb: I'm somebody now, Harry. Everybody likes me. Soon, millions of people will see me and they'll all like me. I'll tell them about you, and your father, how good he was to us. Remember? It's a reason to get up in the morning. It's a reason to lose weight, to fit in the red dress. It's a reason to smile. It makes tomorrow all right. What have I got Harry, hm? Why should I even make the bed, or wash the dishes? I do them, but why should I? I'm alone. Your father's gone, you're gone. I got no one to care for. What have I got, Harry? I'm lonely. I'm old.
Harry Goldfarb: You got friends, Ma.
Sara Goldfarb: Ah, it's not the same. They don't need me. I like the way I feel. I like thinking about the red dress and the television and you and your father. Now when I get the sun, I smile.

* * *

Harry Goldfarb: Somebody like you can really make things all right for me.

* * *

Young Tyrone: I told you I would make it Mama.
Tyrone's Mother: Oh, you don't have to make anything, my sweet, you just have to love your mother.

* * *

Marion: Getting the money's not the problem Harry.
Harry Goldfarb: Then what's the problem?
Marion: I don't know what I'm going to have to do to get it.

* * *

Sara Goldfarb: In the end it's all nice.

* * *

Harry Goldfarb: I always thought you were the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.
Marion: Really?
Harry Goldfarb: Ever since I first saw you.
Marion: That's nice Harry. That makes me feel really good. you know other people have told me that before and it was meaningless.
Harry Goldfarb: Why? Because you thought they were pulling your leg?
Marion: No, no, not like that. I mean. I don't know. I don't know or even care if they were. Just from them it was... just meaningless, you know? When you say it, I hear it. I really hear it.

* * *

Marion: Anybody wanna waste some time?

* * *

Harry Goldfarb: Let's do this right.
Tyrone: Naturally.

* * *

Sara Goldfarb: And you should see my Harry on Television. We're giving the prizes away. I JUST WANTED TO BE ON THE SHOW.

* * *

Sara Goldfarb: Well then... what's orange? If this is red, I wanna know, what's orange?

* * *

Tappy Tibbons: Now we come to step three. This... drives... most... people... crazy.

* * *

Tappy Tibbons: Be excited, be, be excited.

* * *

Sara Goldfarb: Harold, I'm gonna be on Television.

* * *
You may see the trailer here.

Plot: 8/10

Entertainment: 7/10

Acting: 8/10

Originality: 9/10

Music and Sound: 8/10

8/10