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:

Drugs | Dream | Heroin | Addiction | 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

Also Known As:

Реквием по мечте (Russia) (Russia) [ru]
Réquiem por un sueño (Mexico) (Spain) [es]
Ρέκβιεμ για ένα Όνειρο (Greece) (video title ) [el]
Réquiem Para um Sonho (Brazil) [pt]
Réquiem para un sueño (Argentina) [es]
Rekviem egy álomért (Hungary) [hu]
Rekviem om en drøm (Norway) [no]
Rekviem za sen (Czech Republic) [cs]
Rekvijem za snove (Serbia) [sr]
Requiem dla snu (Poland) [pl]
Requiem for a Dream (France) [fr]
Requiem for a Dream (Norway) [no]
Requiem for en drøm (Norway) (video title) [no]
Retour à Brooklyn (Canada: French title) [fr]
Unelmien sielunmessu (Finland) [fi]

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:

Factual errors: Sara is given multiple jolts of ECT while fully conscious. Real ECT patients are always anesthetized, and the electrodes are only placed on one temple, not on both like shown in the film.

Quotes:

Laughing Guard: That's the trouble with ya New York dope fiends. Ya got a rotten attitude.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Top Gear: Polar Special" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Bialy & Lox Conga

Awful and Essential

I'm not going to waste space with a synopsis, as every second or third review provides one. A good indication of a challenging and original film is the number of 1/10 and 10/10 reviews, where the 1/10 reviews consist of just a few lines. A pretty sure sign that those folks weren't able or willing to watch with an open mind. Which is a good sign for casual viewers to give this film a wide berth.

I wish everyone I care about would see Requiem for a Dream. Not because they will like it, or that it will teach them something they did not already know, but that it's a rare piece of work that will challenge and probably change them. It's a film that has never been made before, with nothing to compare to it - a rarity these days. I often find myself recommending films to people that I am unable to briefly describe. These are usually the most involving and affecting ones. I'd like my family to see this, but can't *recommend* it to them. I've recommended it to two friends, and they both had the same reaction: I am glad I watched it, but I doubt I'll be in the frame of mind to watch it again, knowing what you feel.

As I sat watching the credits roll, I began crying, but I'm still not sure why. Partly in reaction to the devastatingly tragic ending, partly the beauty (yes) of the film, partly my gratitude for good things in my life. I watched it again the same night with my girlfriend, not because I wanted to upset her, but I felt that I had to share it. After the credits rolled, we both were silent for a good ten minutes. I found that I had thoughts I wanted to express, but could find no words. This is one of the few films that are painful to experience, but I feel compelled to share with people I care about. Some others in that short list include The Thin Red Line, Happiness, River's Edge,and The Deer Hunter.

These films all share a quality that's difficult to name. No one likes feeling disturbed or shattered by a film, a work of art, a piece of music, but I feel experiencing these emotions and being asked to think, not just be entertained, is important now and then.

"Favorite" does not apply to this for me - this isn't about entertainment. One of the most devastating and beautiful experiences I've had watching a film. One of the top five films I've ever seen.