Requiem for a Dream

Straightforward - transparent - destructive. Although one swears that Aronofsky is working with his triad of destinies so ostentatiously that the viewer cannot be caught with his pants down, it happens nonetheless. Thanks to famous editing, fantastic music and a gourmet tempo, and the atmosphere of the shots, Requiem for a Dream escalates into unbearably creaking tones of frustration and humiliation. Mansell's central melody makes one feel cold, but the visual poem Darren composed for it tears the skin. Although the film typically does not have a particularly deep interior, its surface is so perfect and so well targeted that it cannot be resisted. (24/11/2008)

It's brilliant filmmaking, but its excessive darkness is its biggest weakness. Aronofsky, as co-writer of the screenplay, in an attempt to play on the darkest possible string, committed several screenwriting blunders, and very big ones at that. However, if I had to pick one drug-themed movie out of all the ones I wanted to use to discourage my potential offspring from using drugs, it would pick this one. It's not nearly as sophisticated and complex as, say, Traffic, and it's leaky script-wise, but it's so disgusting in its depiction of the consequences of drug use that it would have served its purpose perfectly. (11/02/2004)

Huge, and followed just after the end of the movie by an indescribable depression about addiction to anything, with incredible performances by the main foursome. Darren Aronofsky's amazing directing, full of captivating visual ideas, makes this film an unforgettable masterpiece. (31/07/2005)

Darren Aronofsky’s directorial inventiveness is incredible. Can anyone else ever reflect human feelings so brilliantly using only camerawork, editing and music? The acting is also excellent – Ellen Burstyn’s performance ranks among the best that I have every seen. But still that’s not enough for me. Requiem for a Dream is a devastating mosaic of somewhat gratuitous misery. It is not the deep, existential and timeless philosophical reflection that it could have been. Which, given its extraordinary formalistic qualities, is a shame. (04/04/2003)

Requiem for a Dream confirmed that I really don't like movies about drug addicts. If it weren't for the story of Harry's mother, I'd probably give it a single star for the direction and the music and that would be it. My problem is that I wanted the worst possible ending for virtually all the characters (except for the aforementioned Sara Goldfarb) from the very beginning. And that is why the ending, praised by many, full of emotions and evoking depression, didn't touch me particularly. All in all, I think the only thing that really impressed me was the (brief, because I always closed my eyes) sight of that inflamed hand. Two and a half stars. (11/09/2011)