Requiem for a Dream

[mike45]

Has anyone else seen this movie? It's a very good film, basically about 4 drug users who's lives go spiraling downward. From browsing the forums for a while I've noticed a lot of you watch a lot of movies, and sometimes write in-depth things about them.

This is a question for anyone who has seen the movie... Who is the man that Jennifer Connely (marian) see's at the restaurant two times?

He is the same guy who she has sex with for money for drugs. Those of you who have seen the movie know exactly what I'm talking about. Please help me out here!

Thanks

[mike45]

I found out my question lol...but if anyone wants to discuss the movie or anything I'm sure it would be an interesting discussion.

[Jim]

I found it an excellent film. I study film as a subject and was seriously thinking about writing an in depth piece on it for coursework but actually chose to do Bruce Lee, haha.

Still though, I only watched it a few times but it's a striking film and really well made, without me getting too deep in a rant. Definately a film I would recommend to anyone.

[Ayanik7]

To be honest this movie is one of the best I've seen. I've watched the movie over 10 times now. And the end still get me.....

-Avo

[Justitia]

Originally Posted by mike45

I found out my question lol...but if anyone wants to discuss the movie or anything I'm sure it would be an interesting discussion.

Mike, why don't you start with an in-depth discussion of the film? I really love this film, though I only saw it twice, once in the theater when it was released and a couple of years later on DVD with a friend. I don't remember the details very well without seeing it again but it was sure powerful.

You know, Mike, you don't have to write a major essay. Obviously there are some things that particularly stand out in your mind that you would like to discuss.... why don't you just start there. Write a short paragraph on any one of them...what was it you found interesting about the particular point, themes, scene character whatever... why did you find it interesting, and what did it mean to you....what important lessons, insights did you find yourself taking away from it.

You might even start with that character you were asking about...why did that guy stand out enough in your mind that you wanted to have a question answered about him? I think I recall who that might be... But why don't you talk about a bit.

And PLEASE remember the courtesy, if you need to reveal plot points or specific details... please note in CAPITAL LETTERS.. the phrase: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD and then be sure to drop down several lines before starting your discussion...so those who might want to see or re-see the movie can skip the discussion if they choose, to come back later.

The skipping of lines after the warning and before discussion is important because it is easy to accidentally see some of the discussion if it is not out of immediate sight...

[Sazuki]

I thought it was a really good movie, yet in a twisted and somewhat ironic manner.

I remember watching that movie, thinking damn drugs are no good... than when the movie ended I took out some XTC and start doing drugs simply because that movie reminded me of drugs. Haha. I was 16 or 17 at the time I think.

While a good movie, ultimately not usefull for stopping drug use. My drug use atleast

And btw, i'm all healthy now, drugs is way way behind me now.

[mike45]

Originally Posted by Justitia

Mike, why don't you start with an in-depth discussion of the film?

Here it goes:

This movie is about four major characters, with each of their lives being affected by drugs. Harry Goldfarb, Sara Goldfarb (his mom), Marion (Harry's girlfriend), and Tyrone (Harry's best friend.) Their whole lives are based around drugs, and trying to fulfill their dreams. We'll start with Sara Godlfarb.

Mrs. Goldfarb is a normal widowed mother, who is, like many people, is addicted to television. When she finds out she can become a game-show contestant, she tries to lose weight to fit into her red dress that she wore to her son's high school graduation. Sara cannot lose enough weight fast on a diet, so she turns to a friends doctor for dieting pills. Sara starts losing weight, and is the "cool one" in her circle of friends, because of her weight lost, and that she will be on television.

Harry Goldfarb is Sara's son, and is a drug user. Harry, his girlfriend Marion, and his best friend Tyrone, all do whatever they can to get high. During this film, most of their drug use is heroin and cocaine. The three friends decide to make money to support their habits, as well as to make a living, they should begin dealing drugs more. Harry and Tyrone go out on the streets, and are dealing tons of drugs, and making lots of money. They are putting this money in a shoe box, to save up for a pound of heroin. Marion is happy, because she basically gets to sit around at home, blow a few lines and shoot up, while her friends our out making all the money.

NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD. I WILL BE DISCUSSING THE ENDING OF THE MOVIE...AND HOW IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.









Back to Sara...her dieting pills have taken over her life. They are essentially uppers and downers, which make her hallucinate, until she develops a tolerance for them. She starts taking more to attain the desired effect, and eventually just goes crazy. She finally fits into her red dress, but she is a mess. She is way to skinny, and her brain is fried. She ends up leaving the house in search of the game-show studio, where she is found and taken to a mental institution. She will not respond to being fed, and gets put into electroshock therapy.


Harry, Marion, and Tyrone's lives start going downhill. Tyrone gets put in jail while trying to make a drug deal, and Harry spends a lot of the saved drug money to bail him out. Meanwhile, it is obvious Marion is very drug-dependant. She cannot stand not having drugs for a day, and she can't get it from anyone without having money. So, Marion resorts to having sex with an older ex-boyfriend for money. And this guy was older, he looked old enough to be her father.

After Marion gets the money, she gives it to Tyrone and Harry. They go out, and try to make a drug deal, but it fails. They have lost all their money, and Harry's heroin wound is slowly but surely getting worse. When Harry goes home to tell Marion the bad news, she freaks out on him, calling him a "f*cking loser." Harry responds by giving her a guy's number who gives out drugs for sex. Harry then leaves for Florida with Tyrone, to get cheaper heroin.

On the way to Florida, Harry and Tyrone shoot up in the car. Harry shoots into his injection wound, and it is horrible looking. His whole arm is bruised from it, and it gives him incredible pain. After the high from heroin wears off, Harry tells Tyrone they have to go to a doctor, he can't stand the pain. While at the doctor's, Harry and Tyrone get arrested because they are obvious drug-users. Tyrone gets sent to jail, where he is abused for being black. Harry gets sent to the hospital, where his arm is amputated.

Meanwhile, Marion resorts to calling up the man who gives drugs for sex. She goes to his house, does her stuff, and gets the drugs. It is obvious she is upset with herself, but she continues going back, because she is in need of drugs.

The movie ends showing all four characters in agony. Marion seems somewhat satisfied that she has drugs. Tyrone is sleeping in jail, Harry in the emergency room with one arm, and Sara is in a mental hospital.

Now for some of my opinions on the movie:

All in all, I thought it was a great movie. I never had an urge to try heroin or coke, and this further pushed me away from it.

All the characters were great, many people say Sara did the best acting job, but I thought they all were equal.

At the end of the movie, I believed Tyrone was the best off. He was in jail, with full health (so it seemed), and he could start his life off with a fresh start. I couldn't really tell what direction Harry would go in; hopefully he would realize where drugs have taken him. Marion doesn't seem like she is going to get off drugs, the only negative times she has had is when she WASN'T on drugs. And Sara is just a complete mess.

Anyone want to share their veiws?

[Skoorb]

I can't answer your question, but to share my views on the film, I didn't care for it. I suppose I didn't quite know how bad drugs could be, but assuming this is a mirror on some realities, I'm not terribly surprised. So, what exactly could I have gotten out of it? I already knew that drugs were bad, and the movie was far from uplifting, so at the end I merely felt drained and in fact wished that I'd not seen it. It was a bit like watching an execution--morbid and not a positive experience.

[mike45]

Originally Posted by Skoorb

I can't answer your question, but to share my views on the film, I didn't care for it. I suppose I didn't quite know how bad drugs could be, but assuming this is a mirror on some realities, I'm not terribly surprised. So, what exactly could I have gotten out of it? I already knew that drugs were bad, and the movie was far from uplifting, so at the end I merely felt drained and in fact wished that I'd not seen it. It was a bit like watching an execution--morbid and not a positive experience.

I agree with some of what your saying, but the movie wasn't intended to be uplifting. I'm not sure what I got out of this movie...I already understand the anti-drug message. It's just one of those movies I can't get off my mind so I decided to make a post.

[mike45]

Originally Posted by Justitia

You might even start with that character you were asking about...why did that guy stand out enough in your mind that you wanted to have a question answered about him? I think I recall who that might be... But why don't you talk about a bit.

It was actually Marion's ex-boyfriend. I thought it was her father at first.

[Master Moron]

Originally Posted by Skoorb

I can't answer your question, but to share my views on the film, I didn't care for it. I suppose I didn't quite know how bad drugs could be, but assuming this is a mirror on some realities, I'm not terribly surprised. So, what exactly could I have gotten out of it? I already knew that drugs were bad, and the movie was far from uplifting, so at the end I merely felt drained and in fact wished that I'd not seen it. It was a bit like watching an execution--morbid and not a positive experience.

Well, did you do drugs after the movie? No? Then it did its job.

By the way, I think the soundtrack is one of the best parts of this movie. I've noticed that they use pieces from the soundtrack in movie trailers a lot now, most notably in The Lord of the Rings and Zathura.

[chicanerous]

Yah, Lux Aeterna (the theme's track) is sampled in everything from other movies to music.

[ltz]

Originally Posted by Master Moron

Well, did you do drugs after the movie? No? Then it did its job.

I don't think that this movie was made to dissuade the public from using drugs. I know that the movie really didn't have any effect on me. Actually, I doubt any media really effects drug usage. You hear the government claim that drug usage in teens is at an all time low, when in reality it's all just bullshit to make it sound like they are making progress on a futile "War on Drugs".

[Justitia]

Speaking from my generation's point of view...when I was a teenager...a lot of girls did drugs to lose weight (not me.. I was lucky and was always just the right size for the time.) But their mother's would do the drugs too... Doctors were giving out prescriptions...I think a fair number of women got addicted.

Manistream society did not understand then about drug addiction as we do today...Drug addicts were people in ghettos and losers from the mainstream. One of the points of the film I thought...though just one of the points....was that "accepted prescribed" drugs was just as reflective of the person as those who were using the illegal drugs.

We all know that now...but I don't think people knew how widespread it was among housewives 30 or more years ago. There was also a lot of closet alcoholism among housewives. The message may not mean much to most people today...but it definitely impacted me...I knew women like Sara...I flirted with the idea of doing it when I would gain 2 or 3 pounds ( on a 110 pound 5'5" body...though that is not terribly skinny by today's standards, I was just at the right point of thin..any thinner, which I did get once..people would start to comment...) But something would happen and those pounds would come off themselves. I felt fat when I hit 115 almost 116 lbs. Most the time I was 112-113. I felt fine. I was in bliss when I was 110-111...Insane, huh, but I guess young girls are widespread obsessed with weight like that. I was that way until my early 20's.

A second theme I thought was important was about Marion and her use of her sex. That is such a powerful issue for women....It has never really been explored properly... It is especially powerful for women who are attractive and learn how to make themselves attractive. It wields so much sway.. and how does that make a woman feel... On the one hand it is great to have that power..but on the other hand, we know it is undeserved...we didn't do anything for it...it was just a blessing we lucked out having...and then we come to rely on it and then we start to get older...and that power starts to fade...though with my generation, that is changing...but still...the power aspect is a big question.

You know, for the most part it is men who pay to have sex with women...not (for the most part) the other way around...that says something. When the women's movement started (or restarted) in the mid-1960's one of the points that were pressed by the more extreme elements of the movement was that marriage was merely legalized prostitution...To a certain extent it was true. For the most part it was not possible then, for a woman to earn on her own, an income that would keep at anything much above "genteel poverty." She could earn enough to keep a roof over her head...probably in a shared apartment with some other unmarried women... If she did not get married..her life of well-being was not going to go very well.... Only the rich ones could afford to get divorced. Because they had no money worries. So you saw hollywood movie stars and the very wealthy getting divorced..but it was extremely rare for "normal" people to be divorced..and if it happened...the woman was usually looked upon with some disdain..and also treated as dangerous...she might take away the husband of another married woman....in the mean time, for the few women who were unfortunate to be divorced, their lives were financially tough and they were desparately looking for a husband ,and as you can imagine, what single men were availalbe of their age at that time given the pressure for everyone to be married and have children...the men, for the most part were pretty much losers...a desparate situation for sure. In a certain way, Sara reperesents all this..she is from that generation.... I think that is why people were so taken by her performance. Ellen Burstyn is a phenomenol actress..but I think it was because her character conveyed truths about middle class mainstream and what it was like to be part of that, living the frustring lives that many do and it is never expressed.

Not that way today...but there is still the power of sex that women have when they are young. And they have to use it judicioulsy...enough to entice...but not to give it away to readily..sparingly..or it will lose its allure and here is the Marion character using the only thing left in her arsenal which is her sex to sell for drugs. And what it does to a woman inside... You have this power you did not earn, it makes you wealthy in a certain way and you dissapate it on something you are addicted too...and the horror of that just impels you to take more drugs ot numb it out.

So those are some of my thoughts but I have not seen the movie in years..so obviously, this is what stayed with me...

[Justitia]

Mike,

That was a great encapsulation of the movie...you gave it a terrific flavor...it definitely recalled for me a number of aspects of the movie as you can see from my (as usual ) long post....

Good job...
You got more?

[mike45]

Wow.. I read your post..very detailed and makes good points. One of the other big things about this movie that struck my mind was that none of the four people ever even thought about getting off the drugs during the movie.

I couldn't say I know many hard drug users like that, but the few I know of bring up quitting and how there addicted and such. I would say there wasn't much sympathy in the movie for the characters shown, pretty much because they were shown more as hardcore junkies. This was obviously how the movie was designed, but I thought it would have been interesting to see if any of them ever had second thoughts.

(I guess Tyrone kind of had second thoughts when he was thinking about getting off the streets to make his mom proud, but he never really thought about it too hard)

[TheRyanator]

Originally Posted by Justitia

Mike, why don't you start with an in-depth discussion of the film? I really love this film, though I only saw it twice, once in the theater when it was released and a couple of years later on DVD with a friend. I don't remember the details very well without seeing it again but it was sure powerful.

You know, Mike, you don't have to write a major essay. Obviously there are some things that particularly stand out in your mind that you would like to discuss.... why don't you just start there. Write a short paragraph on any one of them...what was it you found interesting about the particular point, themes, scene character whatever... why did you find it interesting, and what did it mean to you....what important lessons, insights did you find yourself taking away from it.

You might even start with that character you were asking about...why did that guy stand out enough in your mind that you wanted to have a question answered about him? I think I recall who that might be... But why don't you talk about a bit.

And PLEASE remember the courtesy, if you need to reveal plot points or specific details... please note in CAPITAL LETTERS.. the phrase: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD and then be sure to drop down several lines before starting your discussion...so those who might want to see or re-see the movie can skip the discussion if they choose, to come back later.

The skipping of lines after the warning and before discussion is important because it is easy to accidentally see some of the discussion if it is not out of immediate sight...

Spoken like a true professor/teacher! Way to throw the ball into his court...you must kick tail in the class room! Oh, and by the way, congrats on finishing your article, you must be so relieved...I know I should have congratulated you in the post about he article but what the heck, it fits in well here.

[TheRyanator]

Wow, just read both of your reviews Justitia and Mike and really enjoyed both of them. Thank you for your ideas.

I saw the movie once, years ago and remember enough, but not enough to comment further than either of you have. I mainly walked away feeling very despondent and sad for many of the people I know who live that lifestyle.