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I proclaim Darren Aronofsky a genius. First 'Pi' now this. Pi itself was incredible - I went
straight into the cinema bookshop & bought the 'making of' diaries and read them that night.
The next day I purchased the soundtrack - and I despise that whole merchandising side
of things. The follow-up is even better.
Requiem for a Dream is one of the most harrowing, disturbing, distressing and incredible pieces
of filmmaking to appear in a long time. Well, since Pi to be honest. Any film that makes you feel
physically sick at the conclusion - a rare & ironic sensation considering the torpid, valium-like,
sensation-nulling effect of modern cinema's bucket of blood blunderings - is worth seeing.
Outrageously contained performances, advanced technical innovation and a grippingly laid-back
story (adapted from Hubert Selby Jr's novel) are all perfectly interlaced into a celluloid masterpiece.
Everyone involved is at the top of their game. No one element outshines the others, which considering
their individual brilliance is an oustanding achievement in itself. But Aronofsky's real triumph is how
the film manages to weasle it's way into your subconscious, striking when it does with a note of pure
human terror rather than horrific spectacle.
Most reviewers have demeaned Requiem by roundly stating "this is definitely an anti-drugs film."
A tersity quite possibily brought on from shell-shock. You see, Requiem hits all the right notes. It
is not just a junkie's bad dream but a tale of self-inflicted human suffering. The enemy at large is
the self, addiction, basic human misery. Sure, drugs play a part but Aronofsky doesn't discriminate between
addictions, be it heroin, love or television. He deftly highlights the hypocrisy, the danger & the human side
we so often glimpse but somehow makes it seem if it's the first time we've witnessed it. But like I said,
Requiem is NOT a drugs film. Although you might not believe me if I told you the scariest
moment in the film is a psychotic fridge...
Aronofsky is either the last auteur or a nascent indication of a rennaissance in great Hollywood
filmmaking. Success hasn't gone to the director's head either. He clearly hasn't forgotten
the people that got him where he is.
There are a stream of Pi cameos (& one by Selby himself) while Clint (PWEI) Mansell once again handles
the musical helm, supplying a more downbeat, melancholy & sinister but equally astounding soundtrack compared
to the techno feast of Pi. Fans of Jennifer Connelly will be pleased to know she has signed on
for his next "sci-fi" tinkling (this was before Oscars & Russell Crowe).
Incidentally, Aronofsky was/is the latest saviour of the Batman franchise so if the project ever gets
off the ground we can expect a
return to the darker, gimmicky style of Tim Burton's caped crusader.
I don't know whether there's a 'making of' book for this, but I'm already hunting for the
soundtrack. All I can say is, the book must be a bloody classic.
Top drawer.
RATING: (c)Limer 2002
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Requiem for a Dream (2001)
