Requiem for a Dream – Blu-ray Review

The Film:

Jon: Very few films grab a hold of you in such powerful way like Requiem for a Dream does. The film tackles the nature of how addiction ruins relationships and dreams. Each character has a set goal for them and once they get addicted to heroine, diet pills, sex, their fall is what makes this film heartbreaking and a tough to watch.

The visual style used here is unique too, giving us a rare opportunity to visually feel the drugs taking affect. As such, it’s a crazed, psychedelic nightmare, one you’re unlikely forget. The editing is extraordinary as well, and is the key to the visual scenes. Now, none of this would work if it wasn’t for the writing as we care about these characters, from frame one to their bitter end. Perhaps we bring our own experiences to the film? I know of a few friends unable to rid the habit of drugs, and while they never went as far down the gutter as these characters do, the film is relate able in that manner. I also enjoyed the fact that it is not just drugs, but over-the-counter drugs too, a rarely talked about addiction as Ellen Burstyn gives a fantastic performance as she misuses the diet pills. Marion’s story is perhaps the catalyst of the story and film. If she doesn’t listen or love Harry, her life would have been better for it. Out of necessity, she performs sexual acts for money to get out of debt. By the end of the film, the easy lifestyle of prostitution takes over in the famously controversial ending.

Finally, Clint Mansell’s delivers a brilliant score. Aided by the Kronos Quartet, the music and especially “Lux Aeterna”, are so iconic other films are using it for their trailers, rock bands are using it as an opening to their live sets. While I think their next collaboration is their finest, this is still one of the great scores in this early new century of film, and has opened up a powerful director/composer collaboration I can’t wait to hear more of. It’s a tough film, but worth every second of it.

Donny: I’m not quite as passionate about this film as Jon is. It’s not that I don’t like it, in fact I love the film, and think that it very well could be the definitive drug movie of this century, although I don’t need to revisit it often. Not being a drug user I can’t say that I relate to the movie in a personal way, but I have had friends with serious addictions that reacted similarly to the characters in this film, but not quite to the extent of excess taken in Requiem.

There are many strong themes running through this film, but in my opinion the most powerful one is that when addiction smothers ambition, dreams are reduced to dust. Powerful emotions run through every scene of this movie. Director Darren Aronofsky is a visionary director that pulls no punches when it comes to telling a story. He also realizes that not every question needs an answer. So I guess what I’m saying is that any self-respecting film fan that hasn’t seen this film at least once should check it out immediately.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: While the film isn’t an immediate attention grabber, Lions Gate did a good job with the video presentation. When Arnofosky uses his close-ups, the fine level of detail is seen. Colors and black levels are vivid too, especially when compared to the DVD version, just don’t expect to be visually wowed.

I happy to report the film’s DTS audio track is as awesome as one would hope. Mansell’s incredible score has never sounded better, filling up all speakers with its presence. Bass is minimal, but when it kicks in, it packs a solid punch. The film has a very deliberate sound design and the DTS track is up for the task at handling its subtle moments, as well as the more active ones.

None of the extras are new, and are all have been ported over from the Artisan DVD of many years ago.

Commentaries: Arnofosky goes solo on the first track, delivering an incredible talk about the film, from the difficulties getting it to production, to the actual nuts and bolts of making it. Fans should eat that one up. The second track is from his DP, Matthew Libatique. This is a perfect listen to people strictly interesting in the film making process, as well as budding cinematographers. All others will be bored.

Making of Requiem for a Dream: This runs 30 minutes, and is a really decent piece, with candid behind-the-scenes footage covering enough topics to be worth the watch.

Memories, Dreams, and Addictions: This has Ellen Burstyn asking questions about the book, from which the film is based on, in a rather ho-hum, but interesting featurette.

Deleted Scenes, Trailers, and TV spots round out the extras.

Conclusion: The film is as superb as anything in the 2000s, perhaps being Aronofsky’s best to date. Lions Gate delivers a solid Blu-ray, even with the same old extras, it should be a decent upgrade for fans, especially with its low retail price.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating: