Requiem for a Dream (2000)

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Director:

Darren Aronofsky

Writers:

Hubert Selby Jr. (based on the book by)
Hubert Selby Jr. (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 October 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

From the director of [Pi]

Plot:

The hopes and dreams of four ambitious people are shattered when their drug addictions begin spiraling out of control.

Plot Keywords:

Drug | Dream | Addiction | Heroin | Friend

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 20 wins & 34 nominations

Cast

Ellen Burstyn	...	Sara Goldfarb
Jared Leto	...	Harry Goldfarb
Jennifer Connelly	...	Marion Silver
Marlon Wayans	...	Tyrone C. Love
Christopher McDonald	...	Tappy Tibbons
Louise Lasser	...	Ada
Marcia Jean Kurtz	...	Rae
Janet Sarno	...	Mrs. Pearlman
Suzanne Shepherd	...	Mrs. Scarlini
Joanne Gordon	...	Mrs. Ovadia
Charlotte Aronofsky	...	Mrs. Miles
Mark Margolis	...	Mr. Rabinowitz
Michael Kaycheck	...	Donut Cop (as Mike Kaycheck)
Jack O'Connell	...	Corn Dog Stand Boss
Chas Mastin	...	Lyle Russel

MPAA:

Rated R for intense depiction of drug addiction, graphic sexuality, strong language and some violence. (edited version)

Runtime:

102 min | South Korea:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:NC-17 (original rating) (certificate #37726) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Brazil:18 | Denmark:15 | South Africa:18 | South Africa:16 (theatrical rating) | Czech Republic:15 | USA:Unrated (director's cut) | Japan:R-18 (original rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (edited version) | Canada:R (director's cut) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Chile:14 (re-rated) | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Japan:R-15 (re-rating on appeal) | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Open (rating surrendered: 2000) | USA:R (censored video version)

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Trivia:

During one scene in which Ellen Burstyn is hallucinating, her entire apartment is taken apart piece by piece as though it was the set of a television show. Several crewmembers of the mock television show pass Burstyn in her chair, including a man carrying a clip board with the Greek letter/mathematical symbol "Pi" on the back - Darren Aronofsky's first film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Harry is waiting for Tyrone to return with the drugs, we can see Harry playing with a turntable. The shot of the turntable itself shows Harry's left hand on the record. In the next shot, his right hand is in the turntable.

Quotes:

Ada: She's thinking thin.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Layer Cake (2004)

Soundtrack:

Bialy & Lox Conga

The film-making quality is secondary- this film makes you FEEL

Often hype about films lead to disappointment and after waiting 14 months after release for my local cinema to show this film, I was done thinking about it. Thank goodness too, rather than challenge my brain (not hard to do unfortunately) this film went straight for the heart, ripped it out and kicked it around the floor for 90 minutes. As the addictions plunged further into the depths of Hell, I felt myself more and more arrested by the film. I've never left a film shaking or feeling physically ill- not including Pearl Harbour, of course :) You want to look away, but cannot.

This movie is by no means flawless, but then again I would like to hope that the flaws add to the gritty reality of the film. The ending was truly the most frightening thing I have ever seen in film- forget the cheap scares of The Exorcist, Psycho and the endless bile of the 'slasher flick', this stuff is REAL.

In a country amid a 'war against drugs' this is a powerful film which could do more to turn kids away from drugs than any measly government "task-force" or classroom lecture.