Review of Requiem for a Dream

Introduction

How to describe this film? I can`t. It is a roller coaster ride of 4 peoples lives and their search for total happiness, which ultimately they find difficult to define let alone find. This film cannot be watched as much as experienced, immersing the viewer into the struggle the main characters face on their traumatic journey.

Video

The video is framed at an anamorphic 1.85:1, giving a good picture quality with very clear and sharp images, although they do lack punch, but that may be a by product of the way in which the film was shot.

It uses a very in your face technique to tell the story which is difficult to adequately describe without making the movie sound unpleasant to watch. Some scenes are shot split frame with the action slightly delayed from one to the other, so a couple talking will have their hands in the other persons frame at a different time to their own and vice versa. Sounds horrible, but it does work and the viewer should persevere.

The picture is very moody all the way through, but without being tiring to watch. This may be because of the way the scenes are shot, which keeps you on your toes all the way through. This is definitely not a film to watch in the background.

Audio

An excellent disc that uses all the components of its Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack to good effect. It is a bonus of the type of shooting used in this film that more surreal effects can be used and to a greater degree than in the average movie.

The sounds have punch that make you look around the room waiting for the next effect, but they do not overshadow the pictures on the screen and are always tied in well to the action. This soundtrack has had a lot of thought and time directed towards it and it shows.

Also included is the Dolby Canyon trailer, which is always nice to find at the start of a disc.

Features

Plenty of extras are available on this disc, which makes a nice change. There is a trailer, TV spots and plenty of commentaries from the director, including on the deleted scenes. Although I am a little unsure as to what an Anatomy of a Scene is.

Conclusion

I have watched this film twice and am no nearer to understanding the full meaning, but that is not to say it`s a bad film. It is thought provoking and there is always something new to see, which to my mind is the sign of an excellent movie.

The directing takes some getting use to, but when you accept the non conformist approach that has been used, the pros far out weigh the cons..

Ellen Burstyn gives a superb performance, but unfortunately she may not get the recognition she deserves as I cannot see this going on to become an all time classic. This is a shame as it really is quite good.