Though the actual content of the movie may or may not be relevant, its the destructive force that drives the characters which is disturbingly familiar. That, at least for me, left me reeling for a few days after watching it.
(from a friend's blog...sorry for extensive usage of this space!)
Requiem for a Dream
why do people get addicted? and what is it really that they get addicted to? because addiction goes beyond substance abuse. infact 'substance' aquires a whole new dimension should we care to look at it. there is but a fine line between sustenance and consumption. treading this line, 'requiem for a dream' is so disturbing that it takes a huge emotional drain just watching it. yet it is so compelling that you cannot ignore it. going beyond merely scratching the surface of the problem, the movie tears in your psyche and picks on your senses. the visuals are sharp, terse and very raw with close-ups, split screen scenes and images slowing down and speeding up as the director puts you in the character's head. this is not a pretty picture. even the poetic title has morbid undertones.
the characters are as real as you will dare to wish for and thier performances make you wonder what effect it had on the actors themselves. the mother sara's aching monologue on getting old and the need to fit in the red dress stabs at your heart. what is more telling is the fact that harry recognises that his mother is high-strung on some kind of drugs and tries to convince her that they are no good, yet uses drugs on himself to get over his distraught at her sad, lonely existence. there is a craving for a momentary high, which does nothing for what you want but simply masks what has already happened. whether its tyrone's shame at not living upto his own mother's expectations or marion's estranged parents and her desire to be a designer thier addictions feed on thier insecurities, fear and greed for an easy way out.
the movie stretches out over a symbolic summer, fall and winter. the last few minutes of the movie which race you back and forth between how the lives of all the four characters shatters leaves one quite disturbed over its graphic nature. the transformation of sara, specially, is simply harrowing. still everyone should watch this movie. its the closest you can come to experiencing a truth without actually living it.
sudeep: I think the last line of the review really sums it up. Aronofsky attempts to put the viewer into the minds of the characters, and experience what they're going through. He did it successfully with "Pi", but I didn't care too much about the subject matter. This one however deals with the universal theme of addiction.
autogato: I'm not getting sucked into the Transamerica debate :P It's been a while since I've seen it but generally I liked it.
And yes, I can fully organize a mutiny on Fondfire's ass. :) Oh course, as he put it, who better than me? A gal deserves to orchestrate mutiny on a pal's blog every now and then, right?
13 comments:
that is THE most amazing movie ever!! Did you drop any acid while watching it? It helps take the edge of it.
Though the actual content of the movie may or may not be relevant, its the destructive force that drives the characters which is disturbingly familiar. That, at least for me, left me reeling for a few days after watching it.
I read about how disturbing this movie was, so have held off from watching for the longest time. Maybe I should watch it anyhow.
Andy: You told me to watch it completely sober. That's why the DVD lay unopened for 6 months :P
Sudeep: Yes - and the fact that it could affect anybody, not just misguided youth.
Jay: I highly recommend it. Not to be missed.
(from a friend's blog...sorry for extensive usage of this space!)
Requiem for a Dream
why do people get addicted? and what is it really that they get addicted to? because addiction goes beyond substance abuse. infact 'substance' aquires a whole new dimension should we care to look at it. there is but a fine line between sustenance and consumption. treading this line, 'requiem for a dream' is so disturbing that it takes a huge emotional drain just watching it. yet it is so compelling that you cannot ignore it. going beyond merely scratching the surface of the problem, the movie tears in your psyche and picks on your senses. the visuals are sharp, terse and very raw with close-ups, split screen scenes and images slowing down and speeding up as the director puts you in the character's head. this is not a pretty picture. even the poetic title has morbid undertones.
the characters are as real as you will dare to wish for and thier performances make you wonder what effect it had on the actors themselves. the mother sara's aching monologue on getting old and the need to fit in the red dress stabs at your heart. what is more telling is the fact that harry recognises that his mother is high-strung on some kind of drugs and tries to convince her that they are no good, yet uses drugs on himself to get over his distraught at her sad, lonely existence. there is a craving for a momentary high, which does nothing for what you want but simply masks what has already happened. whether its tyrone's shame at not living upto his own mother's expectations or marion's estranged parents and her desire to be a designer thier addictions feed on thier insecurities, fear and greed for an easy way out.
the movie stretches out over a symbolic summer, fall and winter. the last few minutes of the movie which race you back and forth between how the lives of all the four characters shatters leaves one quite disturbed over its graphic nature. the transformation of sara, specially, is simply harrowing. still everyone should watch this movie. its the closest you can come to experiencing a truth without actually living it.
I also felt wordless and disturbed. But even more so, I felt nauseated.
A friend of mine reported on his blog that he did NOT like Transamerica. ACK!!!!?!?!?
Check out his review, and my lengthy retort, at:
http://fondfire.blogspot.com/2006/07/movie-review-transamerica.html
Okay, the link screwed up in that one before.
Check out the review.
Yes, I do not like Transamerica. I'll save "Requiem for a Dream" for a day when I want to be depressed.
sudeep: I think the last line of the review really sums it up. Aronofsky attempts to put the viewer into the minds of the characters, and experience what they're going through. He did it successfully with "Pi", but I didn't care too much about the subject matter. This one however deals with the universal theme of addiction.
autogato: I'm not getting sucked into the Transamerica debate :P It's been a while since I've seen it but generally I liked it.
fondfire: ditto
And yes, I can fully organize a mutiny on Fondfire's ass. :) Oh course, as he put it, who better than me? A gal deserves to orchestrate mutiny on a pal's blog every now and then, right?
Oh you've watched Pi too? great movies .. loooove the music (Clint Mansell).
seen city of god? cidade de deus - watch it! its brilliant.
autogato: of course!
sou: no I haven't seen City of God. It's on my list.
hmmm
i know its a poem by blake...did not know about the movie...
Post a Comment