Rating: 
Summary: Original, cliche-sparing drugavaganza...
Review: The reasons this movie is brilliant are -in my opinion- not easily graspable for most people. This becomes more obvious if one reads some of the negative reviews here at Amazon.
I read here in some reviews that this movie is poor because...it's depressive! Since when do films need to be cheery to be good? Is life that way? Is reality, anybody's reality that way? I read in other reviews that this film is not good because "there's no message involved" or because "there's no ethics defended". I really fail to understand such mindsets. This film is a depiction of reality, a very particular reality, that of people being addicted to heavy drugs and the lives they lead. THAT is the message. It's simply a raw depiction of a specific reality that millions of people (esp. in the west) are experiencing daily. Now, as far as "ethics" are concerned, i'll say this: if the director endulged in some heavy pedagogic diatribe via this film to tell us that "drugs can be dangerous for you" i'd simply say "duh" and watch something else. Besides, he does show that in a more than obvious way. But thankfully, he doesnt attempt to shove an agenda down our throats. Now to the film itself: I'd already been super-impressed with the director's previous film (the equally brilliant "Pi") so i was more than intrigued about this one.
I was rewarded again by Aronofsky as a viewer. This film has great camera work (it's through and through cutting edge stuff visually) , great acting, minimal but efficient dialogue,
and an absolutely superb conceptual soundtrack (most of it is based on one theme). It surely is hardcore in its visuals but there's more quality here to be discovered as the director doesnt try to impress with cheap and unrealistic scenes. There's nothing in the film that's over the top or exaggerated and that might sound as self-understood but there are more than enough films with a drug theme that stretch things to extremes visually as if depicting things realistically isn't overwhelming enough. No need to describe the plot as 10s of other reviews have already done so, so I'll simply reccommend this film (as many others did too) to anybody with a passion for groundbreaking cinema. Extra kudos for Burstyn's performance which is definately show-stealing but even more credits for the fact that "Requiem for a dream" doesn't merely stay on the illegal drug scene but takes a hard stab at the legal drugs. Legal they may be, but there's literally millions of people battling serious addictions from them and they continue to be prescribed massively nevertheless. An ode to antihypocrisy as well as great filmwork.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't watch it the whole way through...
Review: When I first started watching this movie, it interested me alot, but the more I watched it, the more and more disturbed I was, almost to the point of being horrified. I couldn't watch it the whole way thru the first time,from the fear of having nightmares!
The fact that this movie has the ability to effect an individual to that point is astonishing. I think that if you have the stomach for it, it is an eye opening, gut-wrenching movie about drug addictions, and the terrible effects they can have.
Rating: 
Summary: Deeply flawed, but so powerful, its hard to breathe
Review: This film didn't really teach me anything I didn't already know about drugs.This movie won't really teach you anything.In fact, most of it it surreal, and a lot of it is a series of dellusions coming from the characters screwed up heads. The power of this movie lies not in the clear cut facts it presents about drugs.This movie is not learning about drugs, it is practically experiencing what it is to belong to a substance, and be in complete possession of something that isn't even alive, albeit inside the character's heads. With this movie, such great pain is shown, such suffering, such dellusion and insanity, you will never want to take drugs in your life Enough with the drugs.I think this movie is so much more than just an anti-drug movie.It's about what happens when people live in their dreams, instead of facing reality.It's what happens when people escape into their own dellusion; until their worst nightmares catch up, and ultimately, wipe out any dreams which may have kept the charcters' hearts beating. It shows the slow and gut wrenching crumble of humanity, the wiping out of human decency; until all thats left is a pile of dust. Drugs, addiction, are what cause this deterioration of the human spirit, in this heartbreaking, harrowing, unforgettable film. Lets talk about the acting. Lets talk about Ellen Burstyn, who gives an absolutely phenomenal, fearless, heartbreaking performance. Her succumbing to the inevitable downward spiral of addiction is one of, if not the most heartbreaking thing I've ever viewed on film. Her performance was so real, that at times, I kept having to remind myself that this was just a movie, and that in real life she was fine. And sometimes, that was real hard to do. Jennifer Connelly is so under rated, and deserves a lot of kudos for her acting. She's a beautiful actress with real chops. Anyone who appreciates cinema cannot deny that she is a true dramatic gem. She is greatly emotive,and truly intriguing, while all the while keeping a subtle,natural approach.She does not overact anything. and that is such a rarity in young actresses and actors these days. Marlon Wayans also deserves some props.He played off his supporting role without stumbling once, proving himself a real actor, and not a funny stunt man from scary movie and the likes. Jared Leto however, is one of the main reasons I took off one star. I really don't care if he lost 1/5 of his weight. He is a weak actor who works much better in films that do not demand such great emotional potency. He does not deliver what the rest of the actors bring to the movie. The scene where he (attempted) to cry was laughable.He oevrworked himself in some parts, and his Brooklyn accent was overdone.That said, what saves him is the great emotionality the other actors bring to the film. Burstyn and Connely in particular. Ellen Burstyn is the emotional core of the movie, and was absolutely cheated out of her oscar. Much has been made of the films cinematography and use of visual effect. I don't know, I guess I'm kind of on the line about it. NO sense in arguing, it was very well done, but sometimes it just got too over the top.I agree with the notion that the hectic visual effect throughout the majority of the film were sort of like a metaphor for the chaos drug use brings on, but there were some cases in which it was not neccesary and seemed like the director was just showing off.ALl in all though, the film's visual aspect really helped create the mood of the overall film, and had it been toned down a little bit I would not have had a problem with it. The score was just brilliant and provided such a heartbeat for the film.The music builds such potency and will stay with you as a part of the movie. The final 15 or minutes of the movie provide one of the most heartbreaking, but most memorable endings you will ever see. In the final scenes of the movie, theres no more dazzling visual effects, no more noise, or chaos.Everything is completely stripped, and all that is left is pain without promise.The ending will leave you breathless and emotionally drained. I wish the world could see this movie and feel what I felt.This movie however, is not for people who are easily disturbed, and if you do not like depressing films, do NOT watch this film.IT is truly horrifying, even for people who don't mind having all hell drained out of them. Requiem for a Dream may not be perfect, but it really is the most emotionally powerful film I've ever seen.If you deny its emotional potency, you're lying to yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps The Most Powerful Film Ever
Review: So there I was-sitting quietly in my seat staring at a black television screen. I did not move for about 5 minutes. The power of this movie overwhelmed me. Darren Aronofsky creates a 5 star-film with all-star performances, based on Hubert Selby Jr.'s compelling novel. Masterfully put together, this movie is classed amongst my Top Ten list of Best Films of All-Time. In fact, it is #1 presently. The film's depiction of drug-abuse is overwhelmingly accurate as far as what drugs do. But never did they really say what drug it was the four characters (Harry, Marion, Sara, and Tyrone) were using. Drugs seems to be the device used to both promote and steal each of the entity's 'dream,' thus the dreams of the four were already doomed from the beginning. It was as if the drugs themselves were teasing each one, giving them the instant gratification they were seeking, then took everything away once they reached the a point on the road where it was too late to go back. The musical score plays a significant role in the whole film's success. Its bold and pervasive style composed by Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet help establish the film noir quality. It truly plays a role that strengthens the viewer's emotions and attentiveness towards the film. First time viewers, prepare your minds for an explosive rendition of the effects of drug-abuse. Starring classic legend Ellen Burstyn, the appealing Jarod Leto, the exquisite actress Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans, generally known for his humorous films. This is a film that will strike the eye, mind and heart. Embrace yourself for a movie unlike any other! And most of all, enjoy. :)
Rating: 
Summary: Utterly depressing drivel
Review: This movie is little more than two hours of one depressing act after another-- losers wasting their lives away on heroin; desperate old women popping pills and obsessing over appearing on game shows; ... It's basically an account of four very stupid people who each find a way to completely ruin what semblance of a life they previously had. That Jennifer Connelly received critical acclaim for her utterly depressing role in this film just goes to show you how hopelessly lost our film industry is today. The only positive I can say about this film is that this had some pretty clever photographic sequences, and the musical score, while generally melancholy, was appealing. Apart from that, this movie has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Glad I didn't pay money to see this movie, because I would have walked out and insisted on a refund.
Rating:
Summary: BEST MOVIE eVER!
Review: I have to say that this was problably the most moving movie i have EVER seen
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This movie was not only incredibly well made, but was heartfelt as well. Anyone with the least bit of knowledge of the effects of drugs on the human body can relate to this movie. A movie not to be missed even by the blinkof an eye, the ending will leave you wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: interesting and sad
Review: Two of my good friends reccomended this movie, so I decided to rent it. My first impression was WOW. RFAD is a grueling story about drug addicts in New York, and how their lives spiral downward after the main character's best friend is jailed for possession. This is an incredible movie. It will make you cry, it is so sad, but very beautiful all the same. I highly reccomend it. The only thing is, it is extremely intense, so I don't think anyone under 12 should see it.
Rating:
Summary: Just another film student's practium
Review: I watched Pi at least 5 times and loved it. Even though Pi is more of a low budget student film, it is visually interesting, clever, and SINCERE. But this one, just plain bad. I don't know what is the filmmaker trying to prove here...maybe he was a good film student and knows all the cheap camera tricks? Mr. Director, why do you have to copy Scorsese or some other filmmakers' shots over and over again? Where are your originality and guts? You can fool the world but not yourself man!
Rating:
Summary: An amazing film and story
Review: Requiem is like a ride - it takes you and won't let go. The film is witty, dark and evocative. It shows the power of addiction and dependence. It is a film that purely emotes - raw and powerful, yet precise and graceful. A must see!
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