Requiem for a Dream (2000)

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Director:

Darren Aronofsky

Writers:

Hubert Selby Jr. (based on the book by)
Hubert Selby Jr. (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 October 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

From the director of [Pi]

Plot:

The hopes and dreams of four ambitious people are shattered when their drug addictions begin spiraling out of control.

Plot Keywords:

Drug | Dream | Friend | Addiction | Heroin

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 20 wins & 34 nominations

Cast

Ellen Burstyn	...	Sara Goldfarb
Jared Leto	...	Harry Goldfarb
Jennifer Connelly	...	Marion Silver
Marlon Wayans	...	Tyrone C. Love
Christopher McDonald	...	Tappy Tibbons
Louise Lasser	...	Ada
Marcia Jean Kurtz	...	Rae
Janet Sarno	...	Mrs. Pearlman
Suzanne Shepherd	...	Mrs. Scarlini
Joanne Gordon	...	Mrs. Ovadia
Charlotte Aronofsky	...	Mrs. Miles
Mark Margolis	...	Mr. Rabinowitz
Michael Kaycheck	...	Donut Cop (as Mike Kaycheck)
Jack O'Connell	...	Corn Dog Stand Boss
Chas Mastin	...	Lyle Russel

MPAA:

Rated R for intense depiction of drug addiction, graphic sexuality, strong language and some violence. (edited version)

Runtime:

102 min | South Korea:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:NC-17 (original rating) (certificate #37726) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Brazil:18 | Denmark:15 | South Africa:18 | South Africa:16 (theatrical rating) | Czech Republic:15 | USA:Unrated (director's cut) | Japan:R-18 (original rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (edited version) | Canada:R (director's cut) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Chile:14 (re-rated) | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Japan:R-15 (re-rating on appeal) | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Open (rating surrendered: 2000) | USA:R (censored video version)

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Trivia:

When Sarah Goldfarb is on the subway and she is telling strangers that she is going to be on TV, a man tells her "You are whacked". That man was Darren Aronofsky's father.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Marion stabs Arnold in the hand with a fork, you can see fork marks on the fake hand from rehearsal.

Quotes:

Sara Goldfarb: And you should see my Harry on Television. We're giving the prizes away. I JUST WANTED TO BE ON THE SHOW.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Bugs' Got a Devilish Grin Conga

Suicidal

Well, I´ve seen "Pi" and was fascinated. Now, there´s "Requiem for a dream" and my expectations were very, very high. That can be the downfall for a movie, but in this case I wasn´t disappointed. Aronofsky proves not only that he can direct a "bigger" movie, he also shows how one can do so without selling out. To be more precise: "RFAD" is one of the most disturbing and depressing movies that came out of the US for a looooong time. From the opening scene to its final curtain it´s...well, a requiem for the characters, who are all perfectly portrayed by their actors. Ellen Burstyn is unbelievable. The power of her performance can only be compared to that of Björk in "Dancer in the dark". Aronofskys direction is even more experimental than in "Pi" and some of his ideas, like his combination of sound and picture are really innovative and give his movie a musical feel -without creating a long music video. On the downside, you could say that this movie offers no hope, no solution - but then, this would´ve been a lousy compromise.