"Juice my Sarah!" Requiem for a Dream: Intense, Effective, and Artful. (Lean-N-Mean)

Author's Rating:

Pros: EVERYTHING.

Cons: Too intense for many.

The Bottom Line: 
Requiem for a Dream is intense, beautiful, and extremely haunting. Well acted, and visually stunning: this is a must-see if there has ever been one.

Author's Review
Requiem for a Dream is undoubtedly the most affecting, intense films I have ever seen in my entire life. From the haunting score, to the intense visuals and events; every single aspect of this film is dripping with emotion. It also has an extremely unique, amazing art style that will leave your jaw dropped and your heart racing. This film is an effective drama, with aspects of at thriller, romance, and an eye-popping visual style. This is a must-see, despite the racy content and depressing tone.

The story essentially revolves around the negative affects of drugs, and how it affects a somewhat related group of people. Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn) is the mother of Harry (Jared Leto). Harry and Tyrone (Marlan Wayans) are in the drug business together, running the streets of New York with coke; trying to get their big break. Harry is dating Marion (Jennifer Connelly). They all share an equal problem: addiction.

We see their lives as they naturally are, peaceful (if not a bit rough). Then, we see what their individual addictions do to them. Sara, who becomes addicted to speed in an attempt to lose weight, descends into total insanity. Harry and Tyrone constantly get into awful situations in their drug business, and struggle with using themselves. Marion resorts to doing less than honorable deeds to get drugs.

The story is told in a crazy, hectic way. From the moment this film starts, you are completely immersed in it's intense style. Your heart will not stop racing until the ending credits; and you will never forget about this movie. Prostitution, death, injury, insanity; all present here. Murphy's law is ever-evident in this film.

The acting, in a word, superb. Ellen Burstyn is by far the most amazing. The once sweet, naive old woman turned into a paranoid addict. She is heartbreakingly wonderful, and she got a well-deserved Oscar nomination (among plenty of others). All of the other acting is solid as well, and Marlon Wayans does a surprisingly good job. The interactions between Jennifer Connelly and Jared Leto are very genuine; all in all the acting is consistently excellent throughout.

The camera work is absolutely incredible. There are so many different camera tricks and unique angles utilized here, and it makes this film such a more intense experience. Believe me when I say, this is one haunting film. The score, the awful events, the heartbreaking tension: this film has it all. Oh, and it is utterly brilliant.

The film, while depressing, is a must-see. The stories, the intense emotion, the camera-work, the score, the character development: Aronofsky's dark direction. Honestly, aside from the extremely strong sexual content (in the superior, unedited version) which leads to appealing issues; I find this to be a flawless film. This is one that really stuck with me.

All in all, Requiem for a Dream is a dark classic: and for a good reason. It is haunting, intense, and visually stunning. Highly recommended. 5-stars. 
Lean-N-Mean (495 words).