Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Enter the world of Harry Goldfarb.



One year.


Fall.


Summer.


Winter.


Spring.




So many things can happen in one year. For Harry and those closest to him the year is anything but grand. The story is age old, man vs. drugs, but somehow it is so much more. The movie starts out with Harry simply trying to get some money to get his next fix. You see him talk to his mother and his best friend, Tyrone, before turning and intimately hugging his girlfriend, Marion, in the next scene.

As the movie goes on the group all become more dependant on drugs. Harry, Marion, and Tyrone have Marijuana, cocaine, and heroine to get their fix. But Harry's mother is a completely different case.

Harry's mother got a letter in the mail that she was going to be on her favorite television show. The letter was a fake, unfortunately she never realized that. She tried to get into a dress that she had fit in many years earlier, and was driven to diet when she didn't fit in it.

When home diets didn't work she turned to a doctor. The doctor wasn't a real honest guy, and basically subscribed her speed for the day and then some downer for the night time. At first she starts shedding the pounds, and is thrilled. Her friends all envy her for getting the opportunity to go on television. And for the first time in her life, Sarah Goldfarb, is a somebody.

In an effort to keep the weight off (and sheer addiction) she never quit taking the pills the doctor gave her. Soon she had to take more and more to get the same effect. She eventually reaches the brink of insanity, but has no one around her because her son is too wrapped up in his own misadventure to even realize he has a mother.

Meanwhile, Harry, Tyrone and Marion have pursued the art of drug-dealing in an effort to get money. At first the notion was fairly goodhearted. Marion wanted to open her own clothes store, and Harry supported her every minute. But the next thing they knew there was nothing on the street to be bought or sold. Finally there was a strong need just to get something...anything. Tyrone, Marion, and Harry all take very separate but equally horrible spirals down until finally you can't even look at the screen.



Impact...
Very few movies have left me with the feeling that this one did. The last movie that made as large of an impact for me was, American History X, It is rare that a movie comes along that depicts drug usage so raw and real. Movies usually show one end or the other. The happy-this-will-never-affect-me-typical-teenage drug use is one end; the other is the This-ruined-my-life drug use. Whenever a movie is made about a series issue (i.e. Drug use, racism, sexism, abortion, teen pregnancy, etc...) you walk the line of having a cheesy after-school-special tone. Well, if this were put on television at 3 in the afternoon it would be one he!l of an after school special.



Cast



Jared Leto Harry Goldfarb
At this point I don't think I could pick a better Harry to be in this film. First off...he is gorgeous, which you need in a movie that is so dark and disturbing. Secondly he amazed me. He dropped a ton of weight for the roll, he needed to, to be considered a junkie. That aside, I felt like he got inside the character so well, it brought tears to my eyes.
Jared was someone who as far as an actor I never really took seriously, he was on an MTV show for the love of god! He definitely proved himself with this roll.

Ellen Burstyn Sarah Goldfarb
First and for most JULIA ROBERTS WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay for those of you who aren’t into the Oscars, Both Julia and Ms. Burstyn were nominated for best actress. If you have seen this movie chances are that you understand my anger/confusion at Julia freakin' Robets winning the best actress award. Ellen Burstyn who has been around since The Exorcist seems to become a better actress every day that passes.

I loved her in Playing by Heart. That is when I realized who she was and that she had been around longer than just that one film. Over the years she has been in How to Make and American Quilt, (as I said before) The Exorcist, Playing By Heart,and When a Man Loves a Woman However, keep in mind that those are only a few of her movies. Overall Ellen has been in over 70 movies. Anyway, in this movie she was just phenomenal. Requiem for a Dream lovers all simultaneously yelled obscenities at their televisions a few weeks ago as Ellen’s name was not called after the phrase "And the Oscar goes to..."

You have to understand that I am not knocking Julia...I think she is great. However, I will say that if you rent this movie you will understand my disappointment. Now I know I have rambled about Ellen not winning, which I think speaks for itself as to why she belonged in this movie.

Jennifer Connelly Marianne Silver
You may know her best from The Labyrinth where she played the sister of the abducted baby. Anyway...Jennifer Connelly is all grown up and truly beautiful. However, don’t expect a PG performance from her like that of The Labyrinth. In this movie she does a few things that make you squirm in your seat...but I am going to leave the details for when you watch the movie.

Marlon Wayans Tyrone C. Love
Okay, chances are you are doing the same thing I did. I questioned which Marlon Wayans was in the movie.

"You are telling me that in this serious movie you cast Marlon Wayans. The man who brought us Scary Movie...Marlon Wayans. The Man who was in Don’t Be a Menace, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and Mo' Money...Marlon Wayans????"

Yes it is the one the one of many Wayans brothers Marlon Wayans. Who would have thought he could do things of a serious nature. Now I am not saying he pulled a Golden Globe worthy performance off...but he did take a risk in doing the Roll, and it paid off. Either way he should be given a round of applause for this movie.

Also...
Christopher McDonald (Tappy Tibbons)


Overall
Overall this movie is not one that I will soon forget. The one thing I will remember the most is the *pop* *pop* *fizz* *fizz* sequence that they displayed in place of showing a person consuming a drug. For example, when they would shoot heroin, you would hear "pop pop fizz fizz" each one accompanying a visual. (The strap going on the arm, the needle pulling back with liquid, the pupil, etc...)

Is this movie for you???
Maybe. It has many harsh visuals. It is not rated, which means it is worse than the R rating. If you can handle harsh sex scenes, and visuals that may make you sick to your stomach...then watch it and you wont regret it. However, if you don't think you can handle it...don't try...but if you do it may be worth it.

If you liked...
Pi
American Beauty
Basketball Diaries
then you will like Requiem for a Dream

If you liked...
Rugrats in Paris
...you wont like Requiem for a Dream


And as always.....

if you don't like the movie it was not me who recommended it.



Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age