Film Requiem For a Dream

[Panoramix]

I'm beginning to think that I am the only person in the world that did not like this movie.

You've find another person who disliked the movie : me !!

 

[Disco Stu]

I just watched this for the first time today and I have to say that it left me both depressed and moved. It's a powerful film. I don't think it portrayed drugs in as negative of a light as some of you may think. I found the diet-pill psychosis scenes to be particularly disturbing. I don't think it depicts diet-pills as evil, though. If Sara had listened to the pharmacist and not doubled her dosage, she wouldn't have gone bonkers, but she was so obsessed with weight loss that she did it anyway. In the end, I left thinking more about the mundaneness of some people's lives and the lengths they'll go in pursuit of trivial goals(fitting into the red dress/being on TV, the next high, money to the next high, etc.), than about drugs themselves.

Also, in the scenes with the quick cutting montages, did anyone notice that the pupils only dilated after we see white powder(could be H, but most non-drug users and viewers of the film might associate it with coke) being snorted from a dollar bill? I got the impression that the characters used a cocktail of drugs throughout the film, and that specific mention of one type was omitted on purpose.

Overall, I thought it was a brilliantly shot, acted, and directed film. It's one of the few films I've seen lately that has left me ruminating so much.

 

[*=Regulator=*]

I thought the ass to ass scene might be partially or completely excised.

On a different note, do you have the internet? Why would you settle for some shitty VHS edited version when you could buy the movie you actually want in the format you want cheaper?

You're asking a guy posting on an internet message board if he has the internet? :D

I thought this film was good overall. I somewhat disagree with the bleak outlook of the film, but it is undeniabely powerful. Even watching it for the 10th time it still makes me think.

 

[L O V E L I F E]

Also, in the scenes with the quick cutting montages, did anyone notice that the pupils only dilated after we see white powder(could be H, but most non-drug users and viewers of the film might associate it with coke) being snorted from a dollar bill?

I got the impression that the characters used a cocktail of drugs throughout the film, and that specific mention of one type was omitted on purpose.

Overall, I thought it was a brilliantly shot, acted, and directed film.

Completely agreed.

Leave it to a bunch of druggies to overanalyze the minutiae and, as a result, underappreciate the film as a whole.

 

[deroxor]

Horrible movie, honestly if the schools want to make kids stay away from drugs, they should make them all watch that movie 8(

 

[mariacallas]

I thought this film was good overall. I somewhat disagree with the bleak outlook of the film, but it is undeniabely powerful. Even watching it for the 10th time it still makes me think.

Very very true. I may watch this on DVD again first thing tommorow
The one scene that sticks with me for days after I view this movie is the very last where you can see the resigned depravity in Marians wan face as she coddles the money.....

 

[lok1]

Horrible movie, honestly if the schools want to make kids stay away from drugs, they should make them all watch that movie 8(

I dont think kids would understand this movie completly.

Can all you nay-sayers back up your argument about why this movie is so bad?

Personally i think how the movie ends is what makes it such a powerful movie.
Im man enough to admit I have cried when i watched the end of that movie.

 

[m885]

Jesus, people are still talking about this movie?

 

[skywise]

^^ Of course dude!!! I mean, its only the best movie of all time except maybe Donnie Darko! 8(

 

[coulage v.2]

i thought this film is valuable as it shows how even the best intentioned can and do become victims of addiction and obsession, and consequently have their lives destroyed - drugs do not discriminate (which would make them better than politicians). that said jared letto still looks a pretty darn attractive junkie.

as for the pupils, arent they supposed to constrict, not dilate?

 

[knight_marshall]

loved the movie, but its not a favourite... some themes that need to be addressed and haven't (from what I've read so far)...

the movie is supposed to be about the possible destructive nature of addiction... it's not saying that no matter what you're fucked for taking drugs, it's saying drugs CAN take control of your life, and by doing so have an adverse effect on the lives of those surrounding you.

For me, the saddest character in this whole story is Ty... Ty the poor guy, who thinks he's got his head above water only to realise his friends are holding onto his legs, trying to drag themselves to the surface.

The main theme of this movie is indeed drug addiction, and the potential harm of drug addiction. It portrays a group of addict's and the lifestyle they live... their hopes, ambitions... their dreams. The problem with drug addiction, as this movie blatanly points out, isn't in the drugs, but in the addiction to them, and the effect addiction has on the mind when that mind must fend for itself once again. The mistakes made by the characters in this movie aren't part of their drug addiction, but instead a product of it. In a world where drug users are frowned upon, there is only one outcome, regardless of the intent of the user. Sara Goldfarb is the example of this.

In my opinion, the movie does not put forth the most vital aspect of the theme it focus' on. Drug addiction isn't the problem facing these characters... their problem is in their inability to control their own lives. Instead, each character looks to another for guidance, rather than into themselves. At some point each character in the movie is faced with a decision (while sober) as to whether or not they should follow the lead of another, and each time they give in. Their drug addictions may add to their collapse, but ultimately they choose to aim for a 'no more hassles' lifestyle over a 'work through it' mentality.

Sadly, or humorously, each character defines this for themselves at some point in the movie. Ty with his get rich quick scheme, Sara with her diet, Marylin with her shop, and Harry, with his inability to look beyond himself throughout the whole movie.

for those who want to double check:
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/r/requiem-for-a-dream-script.html

and:
* the movie lasts at least 9 months (four seasons)
* on the pier harry claims he loves his mom but he doesn't know what to do for her... he never says "i want to give her something to look forward to.

 

[Helios.]

"it focus' on" [sic]

"I've seen plays better than that movie, PLAYS."--McWigga.

 

[silvia saint]

from a review of Terry Gilliam's 'Tideland' by Alexander G. Rubio

There is a chilling matter of factness to this scene that outshines anything in Darren Aronofsky's overwrought and overrated "Reefer Madness: Millennium Edition", "Requiem for a Dream".

awesome. i hate rfad.

 

[axl blaze]

Dont your eyes constirct with H, Not expand like they do in the movie??? I think that was just for effect

yes, your pupils constrict while on H, not expand like in the movie.

I still think this movie sucks.

 

[vibr8tor]

^ I also didn't like it.


but that probably doesn't mean much, because *gasp!* I don't like Fear and Loathing either.

 

[ego_loss]

yes, your pupils constrict while on H, not expand like in the movie.

I still think this movie sucks.

On the DVD bonus features of Requiem there is a portion where the story boards for the pupil shot are shown. It clearly says underneath the frame "pupils constrict". It was changed to expanding pupils by a poorly informed producer who thought that constricting pupils would confuse the general movie going public who associate drug use with large pupils.

 

[wizekrak]

I enjoyed it, but it's the kind of film that leaves you a little sick after watching it. To me it was a powerful piece echoing the sentiment "there but for the grace of god go I". I look at as a PSA about the dangers and trappings of addiction in more than just it's stereotypical forms.

There's a dark undercurrent running through the entire film. It feels as if each character is stacked at the precipice of a house of cards. You're constantly anticipating the subtle or not so subtle shift that will bring them tumbling down. The character development is difficult to watch, not from a technical perspective but simply for the fact that you're aware of the impending doom each is going to face in the next 90 minutes.

The soundtrack is equally as important as the cinematography. They go hand in hand to paint both the starry eyed optimism of youth and the dark and seedy image of life in the grips of addiction. Needless to say I don't watch it very often although it is a well done and powerful take on the nature of addiction.

 

[Monica666]

I HATED this film. Found it too bleak and depressing. I prefer to watch films that are enjoyable to experience. Actually had to turn the film off about 30 minutes before the end of it.

 

[adder]

Reviving an old thread as I've just seen the movie and...

On the DVD bonus features of Requiem there is a portion where the story boards for the pupil shot are shown. It clearly says underneath the frame "pupils constrict". It was changed to expanding pupils by a poorly informed producer who thought that constricting pupils would confuse the general movie going public who associate drug use with large pupils.

The whole film is much much exaggerated! It's very misinforming for straight people who have nothing in common with drug usage. I watched the movie after my non-using friend had mentioned it. She and everyone else were terrified having seen it. Well, the fact that it is readily shown in the movie they use H and their pupils dilate tells a lot about the whole story.

It is possible to become a hooker to get money for H. It is possible to get your arm infected and amputated. It is possible to be put on some kind of amph and turn into a psycho but sweet God, this movie makes straight people think that drugs will fuck you up either way no matter what it is.

I hate all the misinformed crowd punishing drug users for what they do not knowing exactly what they do. And such movies only make it easier for the crowd to do so, unfortunately.

And it's quite funny how they did get their own business. A guy simply calls somebody and gets a pure chemical just like that and start selling. I know he got into some mafia, it looked so but that plot wasn't clear enough. They would be dead right away after drug dealers or rather their superiors find out they 'steel' their clients and money.

I don't know, the action takes place in the US. Things are QUITE different here. Nobody has ever seen white heroin and nobody would snort brown. There are basically two forms of H here: a brown powder meant to be smoked but you can just cook it up with an acid and an infamous 'Polish kompot' which is just a liquid form of acetylated opium, nasty stuff. A lot of topics here are still a tabboo. This movie shall mindfuck non-using people here more than those on the west!

And you know what. My arm starts to hurt me. It's the left one and I shot into it a few days ago. I'm going crazy!

 

[beener21]

Yeah.. this movie made me feel so weird after I watched it... the double ended dildo scene made me feel dirty.. lol
I think I'll go the rest of my life without ever watching it again.