Requiem for a Dream (DVD, 2001, Unrated; Sensormatic Security Tag)

Requiem for a Dream is a disturbing movie all the way through. If drug use and what becomes of those who allow it to control their lives bothers you...probably a bad idea to see this film. The simplicity of the characters and the unraveling of the script is exteremly effective. To me, if I had ever had a notion to become a junky...this would have stopped me in my tracks. The story is actually two stories in one. Harry's mother is obsessed with becoming thin as she really believes that a typical "telemarketer" type call will lead her to fame on a tv show. She is insistant on wearing a red dress from before her husband died that she longer fits into. After going to a doctor who didn't seem to really even know she was even in the room or at least didn't care...he hands over pills for her to take to lose weight. Amphetamines. To be taken several times a day and one other type to crash at night. The pills start to work and she is becoming happy that her weight is dropping. Her son Harry is a heroine addict has made a life of stealing from her and doing whatever it took to get the cash for his hits alongside his girlfriend Marion. Both have realistic dreams they want to come true as far as work, their life, etc. In order to get there though...they need money. Harry visits his mom who is now having symptoms of additions to speed but she is not concerned about it until her world starts to collapse right before her eyes. Harry and Marion get involved in a profitable encounter that leaves them with all the money they could want or need...until something goes wrong and their dreams are shattered. Sad as it was that they will probably never accomplish a normal life or job etc...the consequences of their involvement to maintain an already bad habit turns into a complete nightmare that none of them can wake up from. The back and forth sequences between Harry's mother and Harry and Marion are showing that they are all people who want to have something that just wasn't meant to be and at a high price.
Unbelievably realistic movie, excellent visual and sound effects, great story, well played. There are definitely some very gut wrenching scenes that are very disturbing, but it is worth it 100%. Highly recommended!!!

This kind of movie does not come along often and this one delivers with standout performances and directing. I found this movie hard to watch but could not tear myself away.
It's main focus is on the highs,lows and pain of drug addiction and the desperate things people will go to for one more "fix". I have never thought about doing drugs ever in my lifetime and never will, but if I were thinking about it and watched this movie first my mind would be forever changed. All high school aged kids should see this movie as a drug education course-they would stay clean for life!!
Jared Leto, Marlan Wayans, Ellen Burston & Jennifer Connely all deliver with believable characters and oscar worthy performances. I found myself absorbed in each character hoping the best for them, but in the back of my mind knowing they were spiraling out of control past the breaking point of which they could never return.
The last 30 minutes of the movie is the most extreme and shocking! I felt exhausted when this movie ended and felt like I had went into the experiences with each character. I was truly at a loss for words. It does get quite graphic and I think that was needed to get the effect to come out on screen.
Over all Requiem for a Dream is excellent and it delivers!! *******

Twisted tale of several people traveling on the road of redemption, never being able to get off once on it. First rate product in every sense of the word. Jennifer Connelly is excellent in her role and every scene with her becomes more intense. Unrated version contains graphic quick images of sex and the drug use is frightening.

Very intense film and is a play on lives most dangerous follys.

Get a copy for your collection

This movie does NOT pull any punches and gives an amazingly accurate portrayal of why and how people get lost in drug use trying to cope with their fears and insecurities. It shows us not only the toll on the person's psyche, but also how their denial and desperate attempts to keep everything "together" keeps them in a downward spiral morally and physically. This film is not for those who are easily disturbed by graphic content. The Not Rated(NR) version is the one to see if you want to experience the real power of this film. I HIGHLY recommend this movie, it is in a class of it's own....a must see!!

This film always leaves me despondent. I felt that it was able to evoke some dark emotions I don't regularly experience; This fact leads me to believe its a well produced movie. The cinematography and the sound track added a lot to the plot and made me feel this one a little more deeply then other movies dealing with life of a "Junkie". I however don't recommend it to everybody; The subject matter in the movie is graphic, to say the least, and can be disturbing even to grown adults. Its definitely one of my favorite movies, but the material is so "Heavy" I couldn't watch it every day. The movie doesn't glamorize drug use, but parents should censor this movie from impressionable teenagers.