Rating: 
Summary: A tough film, but well worth the effort
Review: A film that tries to show us the evils of substance abuse by putting us into the heads of the abusers as much as possible. The film is brilliantly edited so as to become more and more disjointed as the main characters fall deeper into despair. This is an "artsy" movie that for the most part uses all the "cool" camera tricks, jump cuts, split screens, etc. for positive effect and not just to show off.We follow Jared Leto and his friend Marlon Wayans, along with Leto's girlfriend Jennifer Connelly, as they decend deeper into their addiction. At one point, they even come into a lot of money and opportunity, but the drugs destroy it all. The other main story follows Leto's mother, played by Ellen Burstyn, a lonely older woman who believes she's going to be on a popular TV show, and decides she must loose weight. She starts on diet pills and begins popping them like candy. The three younger characters chart a more predictable course. Connelly and Leto have a lovely romance slowly come unraveled. Wayans sees his dreams slipping through his fingers. We've seen much of this before, but never this graphically. We aren't held at a distance by the director but rather we are pulled in to see things through their eyes. All three actors are quite good, and Connelly, in particular is a revelation. She'd done fine work before (and won an Oscar, of course, for her next film, A BEAUTIFUL MIND). But it's her work in this film that should have drawn Oscar's attention. Her final degredation is just about as low as we have seen a character sink in many a year. Leto is always a good performer, and his final outcome is also a corker. Wayans meets justice in a more predictable way, and his scenes in prison are almost farcical and are the only times the director totally loses control over the tone of his film. Wayans is absolutely fine...the script and filmmaking strand him..and that's why the film only gets 4 stars. It really deserves 4.5. The reason, I think, that Connelly didn't get her Oscar nod for this film is that Ellen Burstyn absolutely runs away with the movie. To say that her performance is brave only begins to state the facts. Her character, basically, is driven mad by her addictions. And we see it from her point of view. We see how the delusions she suffers COULD drive you nuts. We pity this poor, lonely woman, whose son is constantly stealing from her to buy drugs. She is deluded. Burstyn becomes physically unraveled as well. I just don't know how she was able to do it. In years past, we always rave about actor's undergoing physical transformations for their parts (DeNiro in RAGING BULL, Hanks in CASTAWAY, Zellweger in BRIDGET JONES!!) but the transformation Burstyn allows herself to go through is shocking and emotionally draining. This movie is graphic and brutal and not for young kids. But even though it is R-rated, this could be a "scared straight" film for teens. And adults absolutely should see it. I look forward to director Aronsky's next effort!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Wow. Some great stuff and a weak story.
Review: Well, I honestly didn't know what this movie was. I bought the DVD as a blind purchase. I was expecting a horror film from the my limited knowledge from user forums. My wife and I watched the movie in silence. I think we both pretty much had the same experience. It was mesmorizing and yet had little or no worth as a story. At the end of it all, its a drug abusers nightmare really. All the cliche problems occur to a set of friends/family all in one large overdose. Did I like the story? No, not really. Did I like, would I recommend the movie? Yes. I enjoyed it from start to finish and when I look back at why that might be, I come up with this recommendation.. The angles of filming (body cams) and look of this film is superb. The entire "Mother" part of the film is awesome. The acting in general is very convincing. While I didn't really like the story, that's not what I remember most. I remember the fridge, the clicking jaw, the paranoid eyes and the destroyed arm. This is one of those few movies, that at the end, I sat and stared at the t.v., watching the credits go by. When I think about it, I give it 3 stars. I can't put my finger on where the other 2 stars went. Probably deserves at least one more.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, But No Sympathy For The Addicts
Review: First of all, I simply wish to say that Ellen Burstyn's performance in this movie was probably the best piece of acting these old eyes have ever seen. Playing lonely widow Sara Goldfarb, an insecure woman with a loser for a son, Burstyn delivers this role so powerfully and emotionally--particularly as the character succumbs to diet pill addiction--that the viewer is overwhelmed with sadness and compassion. Unfortunately, Sara Goldfarb is the only character worth caring about, as REQUIEM FOR A DREAM tells a parallel story about three heroin addicts. Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto), his girlfriend, Marion (Jennifer Connelly), and his best bud Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are hedonistic junkies that only live for their next fix. Harry is Sara's son, thus the bridge between the two stories. We're given little or no explanation as to why these three people are strung out on drugs, and when the movie begins, when Harry and Tyrone steal Sara's TV (again) to pawn it for drug money, I said to myself, "I really don't care what happens to these characters." Whatever admirable qualities these three people possess are rapidly dissolved in the face of spiraling addiction. When each one of them "hits bottom," I was unmoved. Also annoying was Harry ruining his left arm by continuing to shoot heroin into it. Did it ever occur to him to use his other arm, or other veins of his body? And what could have been a very interesting side story--Tyrone's fond memories of the closeness he shared with his mother--was never developed. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM is as powerful as the pills and smack being consumed, yet director Darren Aronofsky's movie falls short when only one of the four primary characters is salvageable. For a comprehensive story depicting addiction, I recommend "Leaving Las Vegas" instead.
--D. Mikels
Rating:
Summary: Far too melodramatic, but insightful
Review: I found Requiem for a Dream to be a tad overrated, but still interesting to watch. If anything, it teaches that Poverty creates crime, and NOT that drugs are inherently evil. If the person who wrote the script for this made it solely to spew out anti-Drug propaganda for 90 minutes, then shame on them...but I'm not going to speculate the true intentions from the start. For those that aren't easily (or ever, for that matter) offended, I suggest you check the movie out and see it for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: Grim (un)reality
Review: This film portrays various drug addictions in all their glory. From the hardest hardcore drugs to seemingly innocuous prescription addictions, each character starts off slowly and we get to watch as their lifes spin farther and farther out of their control. A voyeuristic view into the world of addiction that leaves you both fascinated and shocked. It uses a raw film style and doesn't pull punches, definitely not for the squeamish. The ending doesn't tie neatly up into a bow in the Hollywood feel-good style (Traffic) but some characters suffer more than others, and none escape the movie unscathed.
Opinion wise, I don't give out too many 5 star ratings, this one earned it. This movie didn't make it into a lot of Cineplex 24's but found it's place in the "art house" type theaters. It is an excellent movie but it's grim and somewhat harsh portrayal of the effect of drugs on these people makes it one you have to go in prepared for. If your list of "great" films includes anything with Vin Diesel, please move on, this isn't for you. If you are a male who wears a beret, this doesn't have subtitles, move on. Anyone with a bit of refinement, who likes indy-looking film and doesn't mind getting some rough treatment at the hands of a director without the Hollywood sugar-coat, take a look at this, I think you'll find it a winner too.
Rating:
Summary: Ambitious Movie About Modern Life
Review: This, certainly, is one of the most thought-provoking movie in the history of American cinema. The disturbing depiction of drug addiction in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM is an effective one, and its illustration of our modern society- one full of isolation, and inhabited by lost souls- highly intriguing. Personally, I don't view REQUIEM as a movie "about drugs", and I encourage people not to see it as such. All four main stars are terrific and brave (Burstyn, Leto, Connelly and Wayans)- Burstyn playing the desperate mother is a top-notch, you just have to ask yourself, 'how she did it?'; Leto's portrayal of a disobedient but loving son is exceptional and highly effective; Wayans gave a simple but likeable appearance; and Jennifer Connelly who offered a strong and noteworthy performance. You just have to see it!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Feel-Bad movie of the Decade, a Beautiful Masterpiece
Review: Requiem For A Dream is the most beautiful, eye-opening, and hurtful movie that I have and probably ever will experience. I went through every possible emotion watching this film. Hate, Sadness, Anger, Happiness, Jealousy, Lust..... It can go on and on and on. But the main point of this film is to show what a life of drugs can do to us. How it will grip us, and not let you, pulling you into situations you dont want to be in..... until it is to late. You feel so bad for these characters, you want to help them, and tell them to stop, but all you can do is sit, watch, and let the tears roll down your face. It is that powerful. Other than the story that is a major eye-opener, the movie is filmed wonderfully, from the director of "Pi". I dont believe that I saw one single bad camera view in this whole movie. And much of the film is showing as if the character is standing still, while the world around them is in fast forward. The camera work of this flick is great, and any fan of great filmed movies will drool over this work, that is after they cry from the story. If this film does not open your eyes to the harms of drugs (especially heroin) to your body, mind, lovelife, and just plain life, you are crazy. This is the biggest eye opening movie since "KIDS" and will leave you hurt days, even weeks after viewing. But that is the objective. We should feel this way, why? I guarentee you will not touch drugs after this film.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent although somewhat grotesque movie..
Review: If you have seen Pi, you'll love this one. (I find both movies to be groundbreaking, almost of a class at par with Stanley Kubrick of yore). Aronofsky, a meticulous director, uses some very original techniques to set the tone and convey the themes within this sometimes dark but always beautiful, complex depiction of the nature of addiction. Through use of split screens, revolving cameras, extreme close-up, distorted angles, blasting sound, and repetitive symbols, all in an effort to convey the actual experience of the substance-user under the influence. The film is a visceral experience, unrelenting in its portrayal of each character's descent into their own personal abyss. The film focuses on three main characters: a Jewish mother from Brooklyn, Sara Goldfarb, played by Ellen Burstyn, the son, Harry, played by Jared Leto, and the girlfriend, Marion, played by Jennifer Connelly. Mom is addicted first to television, and as a result of a proposed appearance on her favorite show, decides to lose weight with the aid of diet drugs, prescribed by an unethical physician. Harry and Marion are fond of heroin, but they will settle for something amphetamine in a pinch. All three start out as casual users, but as they persist with their addictions, each character's environment deteriorates and they all sink deeper into unreality. Aronofsky portrays this by having the characters interact with each other in a relatively normal way at first, focusing on the familial relationship between mother and son, and the romantic one between Harry and Marion. The early scenes are brightly lit and pleasant to watch, with many shots of the gorgeous Leto and Connelly lying head-to-head, looking remarkably alike, awash in drugs and love. Even the screen-wide use of the symbols and sounds of drug use seem exhilarating and exciting at first, and it is not until the viewer is bombarded with them relentlessly that they become uncomfortable to watch and hear. Aronofsky splits the film into three parts, subtitled Summer, Fall, and Winter. The seasons change along with the characters, and as time progresses, the characters split from each other, each advancing more deeply into their own addiction and despair. Their individual descents parallel each other, which Aronofsky represents by quick cutting from one character's current predicament to the others, all the scenes infused with garish colors, murky lighting, and disquieting music. At one point Aronofsky unites the characters by showing the visual similarities between the bloodshot, bruised, and terrified eyes of the mother, the heavily made-up, smeared and bleary eyes of Marion, and the infected, bloody and blackened wound that Harry grows on his inner arm. The performances in this film are top-notch, especially from Ellen Burstyn, as a perfectly actualized suburban junkie. Her character is really the sympathetic one, caught not in a desire to get high, but just to be a little more attractive -- a trait so typical of our media-fed society. Also notable in his role is Marlon Wayans, playing against type in a non-comedic role as Harry's drug buddy. In a conventional drug film, the addict usually dies, as a morality play, or to accomplish some finality for the storyline. Aronofsky refuses to go for the easy way out. The last twenty minutes of this film possess some of the most harrowing footage you will ever see, and there is no respite for the viewer or the characters. A definite 5-star and one for your collection!
Rating:
Summary: something new each time
Review: I get new images each time I watch this movie. The way this Requiem for a dream was pulled together is beautiful, the alltered views in each scene made for a more exciting time, the story line scared me. I am not sure if this was ment to be a scary movie but it shows you a life not worth living. I believe the creaters of this movie many more amazing films to come, Keep up the amazing work. Abby, From Michigan
Rating: 
Summary: Requiem For A Better Dream
Review: The stronger story in this moralistic tale of addiction, is the tale of Ellen Burstyn's character. By far, that was the basis of a great piece of filmmaking. The exploration of over-the-counter / prescription drugs, television, weight loss, hyped up marketing ploys was the film that should have been made and thoroughly delved into. Burstyn is a wonderful actor and a film made with that character for 90 minutes, making as many pointed accusations it could about an industry of addiction in denial would have made a powerful film. That was the movie I wanted to see, but that was not what was on offer here. The quick MTV style edits work in the context of Burstyn's segments, but in the long run, the story overall could tell her tale far far better than trickery and sped up montages. This just wasn't done. And as far as the 'youth in trouble' portions of the film, I really was not buying it. As the main character 'shoots up' into the same vein which is now swollen, gaping and oozing, totally remiss of the fact that he has another vein JUST like it on his other arm, was kind of funny. This device was just primarily used to frighten the unaware. Anyone who was/is an addict would look at this character and say, what an [goof]! Now, if he had been using heroin for 10 or 20 years, and every viable entry vein on his body had been thoroughly collapsed, THEN I'd believe it. Regardless of the addiction, heroin users aren't THAT stupid. Insuring you get the next 'hit' relies on you maintaining a reliable 'hitpoint'. Really did not buy that, ruined the whole point of the movie. Went for shock when it didn't need to. Came across like a 1930's drug warning exploitation film, but in colour. After that, the movie just falls apart. Its an interesting watch, and surely worth it for Burstyn's performance throughout, but it honestly works better as a film you'd show to students to scare them off drugs, OR film students interested in editing techniques. I know the people worked hard on the project, I know they put their efforts in to it, but there was a better movie in here with just Burstyn carrying it. And a more believeable plot would help carry a more believeable message. That addiction of all kinds afflicts each and every one of us, admitting it helps.
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