Requiem for a Dream

Theatrical Release Date: 2000 10 06 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 012236100294

Studio: Lionsgate

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse]

Summary: Based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr., this gritty drama concerns four people trapped by their addictions. Harry (Jared Leto), and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are impoverished heroin addicts living in Coney Island, NY, while Harry's girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) is a fellow addict trying to distance herself from her wealthy father. Harry dreams of scoring a pound of smack, from which he could make enough money to open a clothing boutique with Marion, but so far he and his friends can barely scrape by supporting their own habits. Meanwhile, Harry's mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn), who spends her days watching television, is told she has the opportunity to appear on her favorite game show; wanting to lose enough weight to fit into her favorite red dress, she visits a sleazy doctor who gives her a prescription for amphetamines. Soon Sara has a drug habit of her own that is spiraling out of control. Requiem for a Dream was directed by Darren Aronofsky, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Selby; it was Aronofsky's second feature, following his acclaimed independent film Pi. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama – null AFI's Top 10 Films of the Year – American Film Institute Best Actress – Screen Actors Guild Best Actress – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking – National Board of Review Best Picture – Independent Spirit Awards Best Director – Independent Spirit Awards Best Actress – Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Actress – Independent Spirit Awards Best Cinematography – Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Actress [Runner-up] – Toronto Film Critics Association Best Actress – Chicago Film Critics Association Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama – Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Features: Commentary by director Darren Aronofsky
Commentary by director of photography Matthew Libatique
"The Making of Reqiuem for a Dream" documentary
Deleted scenes with optional director commentary
Memories, dreams and addictions: Ellen Burstyn interviews Hubert Selby Jr.
Theatrical trailers and TV spots

Requiem for a Dream

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 09/08/2009

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DHMA null

Runtime: 102 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Matthew Tobey

On the surface, Requiem for a Dream appears to be the next in a long line of junkie movies, and even on that level, it's one of the most visceral depictions of addiction ever put on film. But at its core, Darren Aranofsky's sophomore effort is a tragic fable, the story of four characters who haven't got the will to be happy with what they have. But sympathy isn't something Aranofsky ever asks his audience to feel for the four hopeless addicts. Rather, he forcefully imposes the characters and their stories on the audience with the intent of leaving an impression. And leave an impression he does. One walks away from the film with an indelible mark on the psyche that isn't necessarily pleasant but certainly testifies to the realism and intensity of the film. As if the abilities of Aranofsky aren't enough, the film's cast shines in some of the most underrated performances of 2000. Jennifer Connelly delivers, as expected, in a role that most wouldn't have the guts to even consider. Jared Leto proves himself to be more than just a pretty face and capable of taking on leading-man roles. Marlon Wayans, easily the biggest surprise, is incredible, superbly cast against type and proving himself to be highly skilled as a dramatic performer. But it is Ellen Burstyn who deserves the most acclaim. In what may be her finest performance to date, Burstyn effortlessly portrays her character's decline at the hands of loneliness, false hope, and prescription medication. Nominated, but ultimately beat out, Burstyn's performance is worthy of a thousand Oscars. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Samia Shoaib  Actor 
Peter Howard  Actor 
Ajay Naidu  Actor 
Ben Barenholtz  Executive Producer 
Hubert Selby, Jr.  Screenwriter 
Nick Wechsler  Executive Producer 
Beau Flynn  Executive Producer 
Stefan Simchowitz  Executive Producer 
Darren Aronofsky  Director 
Darren Aronofsky  Screenwriter 
Clint Mansell  Composer (Music Score) 
Eric Watson  Producer 
Ellen Burstyn  Actor 
Jared Leto  Actor 
Jennifer Connelly  Actor 
Marlon Wayans  Actor 
Christopher McDonald  Actor 
Louise Lasser  Actor 
Keith David  Actor 
Sean Gullette  Actor 

Country: USA