'Requiem For A Dream' Review: A Harsh Reality, Perfectly Told!


⭐ Requiem For A Dream ⭐ Review ⭐ 8.4/10 ⭐

There's no question this is a movie of extremes; Aronofsky uses punchy editing and camera tricks galore to convey the rush of drugs of the characters, right down to the cellular level. By the end the protagonists are literally curled in fetal positions, robbed of everything by their addiction. The conundrum for filmmakers trying to depict the seductive power and destruction wrought by drugs is walking that fine line between making "getting high" look too good on one hand, and on the other hand going too far with the Message stuff and preaching a finger-wagging sermon.

But the skillful, surreal camerawork, and the sympathetic characters -- none of them want to be your typical Al Capone, they just want to be happy -- make this more than just the proverbial "classroom scare film." Perhaps the most important story, in fact, is Sarah Goldfarb's, who breaks no law in her addiction to amphetamines (diet pills) but ends up as brain-damaged and ruined as any junkie thanks to an impersonal medical-institutional establishment that hands out pills like candy.

Leto, Wayan's and Connelly all gave believable performances, it felt natural; three young, promising lives quickly deteirate thanks to the wrath of drugs/addiction. The star of the flick was no doubt, Ellen Burstyn, she took it to another level, absolutely riveting performance that deserved an Oscar.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Paul Thomas Anderson Week: 'There Will Be Blood' Review!

Image
• There Will Be Blood, 2007 • 8.2/10 • Firstly, I would like to start with Daniel Day Lewis' mesmerizing performance as the ruthless oil prospector, Daniel Plainview. The scumbag cons local landowners into selling their valuable land for pittance, and then he comes along like a "straw" and "sucks it all up," leaving him very wealthy and everyone else in his way. Paul Dano, Wow, do you really expect anything less than magic when it comes to him acting, he's a true tour de force. I wish we had preachers like Eli Sunday up at my local church. Johnny Greenwood's score is brilliant, it really gets under your skin, you then combine that with the gorgeous cinematography, smart screenplay and the brilliant acting, you then have yourself a film where even if your not paying complete attention, you will still hate the lead by the end, all the same! Yeah, I did just say that. I'm sorry peeps but it got a little boring at times (it didn't keep me hook
Read more

'Tomb Raider' Review: First Successful Game Adaptation! Kudos!

Image
• Tomb Raider, 2018 • 7.9/10 • Alicia Vikander gives Lara depth and personality much like Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones. She's vulnerable, but she's also stubborn and focused to survive on her own and has never lost hope that she'll once again see her father. The story is built on the reboot of the video game series, but takes another way after the arrival at the destination where most of the action takes place. When the story follows the video game it has weaknesses (as so many games adaptations do), but when it stands on its own, it shows glimpses of coming adventures for Lara Croft that makes you want more -- much because of Vikanders grounded performance. The script is by no means perfect, the CGI was a bit spotty in places, and yes there are a few cliches and overused story devices here and there, but overall it is an enjoyable film and our first successful game adaptation! Yesss! P.S - Dominc West was the perfect choice for Mr. Croft!
Read more

'Unsane' Review: Yeah, You Know The One Shot Entirely On An IPhone!

Image
• Unsane, 2018 • Spoiler-Free • 8.2/10 'Unsane's story was perfectly edited in a way that it doesn't reveal to much until it gets to the climax. The fact that it was shot on an iPhone makes it look and feel more personal, engaging and deeply unnerving. The iPhone quality almost automatically relates to our daily lives, which in a way makes you feel like your spying on someone you shouldn't be. It's such a well done thriller, it never gets slow or boring because the screenplay is near-perfect and the acting is tremendous (the realism is unreal). Juno Temple and the creepy-ass Joshua Leonard looked so comfortable in there roles it was horrifying. And last but not least, Clare flipping Foy gives 100% with an absolutely riveting performance. Plus im adding another 10% for her tremendous skill, being able to do this kind of role with an iPhone strapped right in front of her face for the whole flick, wow, I felt claustrophobic, let alone how she felt. Yeah th
Read more