Requiem for a Dream - 2000 - Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto.

A hugely intense, grim look on drug culture.

Requiem for a Dream is the second film from director Darren Aronofsky and the film is centred around Harry (Jared Leto) and his mother, Sara (Ellen Burstyn). Harry and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are heroin addicts looking to score a pound of the stuff in order to make it to easy street. Harry's girlfriend, Marion (Jennifer Connelly), is also in on the venture; wanting to distance herself from her wealthy family. Sara is a lonely widow, way past her prime, spending her days watching television. When she gets asked to appear on her favourite show she puts all focus on dieting in order to fit into a special red dress. In order to drop the pounds quickly she gets prescribed amphetamines from a dodgy doctor, resulting in her own downturn due to her new-found addiction to these pills.

This film is more than just another "drug movie". Requiem for a Dream shows how addiction can come in many forms and can affect anybody. Whether it be Sara and her addiction to television, or her addiction to amphetamines. These addictions could be fuelled from many things; her loneliness? her desire to loose weight? Also, Harry's addiction starts from wanting to becomes wealthy, simply sampling the product leading to a fierce addiction. Harry's girlfriend Marion doesn't want to be associated with her rich family so rebels, resulting in her addiction.

Aronofsky highlights how addiction can be caused by anything and affect anyone, and he does so using the technical flair and innovation that you expect from an Aronofsky picture. However, at times it seems that the director gets so caught up in his own style that the narrative suffers; with the story becoming disappointingly predictable.

The acting from the leading and supporting cast is superb throughout the film, with all the plaudits going to Ellen Burstyn. Her mental and physical degeneration is truly shocking to watch. She delivers such a vivid portrayal of loneliness, of suffering, that you can only look at with sadness.

Not a film for the faint hearted, with scenes that will truly shock. Aronofsky's style is out in full force in this grim film.

J.Henderson

7/10.