Remembering Requiem for a Dream

In most markets, The Wrestler, Darren Aronofsky’s newest film is coming out. He’s a very interesting director and with The Wrestler, he’s getting a lot of attention. To honor his new film, Killer Film takes a retrospective look at his career with Requiem for a Dream.

Jon:

In the Pi feature we did, I said that I came to Aronofsky with this film, and from my first time seeing it, I was mesmerized. Very few films grab a hold of you in such powerful way like Requiem for a Dream does. It was an unforgettable first time with a film I had only heard about through Roger Ebert and a few friends. Many of which claim that they can only see it once or so, citing that it’s so raw and powerful that they can only take it a few times. Although all claim it’s a fantastic if not great film. I agree completely.

I have though, seen the film numerous times, and each time a new theme emerges and adds to the power of the film. 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 relateable 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.

I know I’m adding little to the discussion of this amazing film, but the big thing that in my opinion adds to this film’s success is Clint Mansell’s 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.  Only, like Jon’s friends 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.

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