It’s been over a week since I actually watched this film, yet its profound message still remains in my mind. The film centres around 4 central characters, and the way their addictions cause them to fall in a downward spiral to misery, loneliness and despair.
Drug abuse and addiction is the main theme of this film, and so contributes to its 18-rating. Three of the characters are regular drug users, using a mixture of cannabis and cocaine. They decide to try to raise enough money to buy a kilogram of the good stuff and so become dealers themselves to raise funds. As they are drawn more and more into the narcotics world, their addictions grow stronger.
One of the three’s mother lives a lonely life, her best friend is the television. When she hears she has been selected to appear on her favourite show, it’s almost a dream come true. She day-dreams about appearing in her red dress, looking fabulous, and being accompanied by a perfect version of her son. In order for her to fit into the red dress she sees a doctor recommended by one of her neighbours, who negligently proscribes a series of slimming pills. Sadly they are addictive and soon she is doubling the dosage just to try to feel the buzz.
It was this aspect of the film I found most disturbing. Someone so adult, and from such an innocent background taking drugs is rarely seen even in film, and it was so scarily portrayed by Ellen Burstyn that I found it most compelling viewing. I’d say watch this film just for her performance.
Of course if great acting is not your cup of tea, there is always Jennifer Connelly’s muff to tempt you…
This is a powerful, brutal and disturbing film that gets better and better as the drug addictions get stronger, just be prepared to go see a shrink afterwards! 
Rating: 9/10
Summary: Powerful drama that will have you addicted
Memorable moment: [0:44:06] - Ellen Burstyn produces the scene of the film
Top 100 position: 56
IMDb: Requiem for a Dream
Buy it from: Amazon
Films remaining: 86
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