Requiem For a Dream Movie – A Simple Guide
Requiem For a Dream is a 1978 novel and film released in the year 2000. The novel was written by Hubert Selby Jr., while the film was directed by Darren Aronofky. It won an Academy award for best actress for Ellen Burstyn. This article details both the movie and the novel.
Since the Requiem For A Dream novel came first it comes first here too. Four people feature prominently. These are Harry Marion, Tyrone and Sara. Harry and Marion are a couple. Tyrone is their friend. Harry's mother is named Sara. Their dreams dominate their lives. They all become addicted to something in the pursuit of their dreams. Sara wants to be on television. When a casting manager hints that she may receive a TV role, she begins taking diet pills. She ends up hospitalized. The other three become heroin dealers. But like many dealers they become users. Every character does badly.
The movie focuses more on Sara and Harry, but still includes Marion and Tyrone. It's the same as in the novel. True to the novel all the action takes place over the course of summer, fall and then winter.
Sara spends the summer watching infomercials. She also overeats. She begins to become concerned over her weight. But her life gains new purpose when the producers of the infomercial call her to tell her she may be on the infomercial. She thinks about wearing a red dress that used to fit her when Harry graduated. She has to diet to do it. When that doesn't work she sees a doctor who prescribes amphetamines. They are addicting. It makes her grind her teeth.
Harry and Tyrone begin a career as drug dealers. Their goal is to one day be able to afford a pound of pure heroine. Marion believes that the money Harry makes as a drug dealer will allow her to purchase a clothing store. Tyrone simply wants enough money to earn a life off the street.
Sara's addiction is even worse in the fall. She's taking more and more, but it isn't working. She hallucinates about appearing on the infomercial. The police bust Harry and Tyrone. All of the money they have made goes to bail. Not only does it become increasingly difficult to find quality heroin, but they themselves use more and more of what they purchase.
The end of the Requiem For A Dream movie is very sad. In winter things spiraled to their lowest point. Harry ends up in the hospital after falling off the roof of a building, Sara is institutionalized, Tyrone is in jail, and Marion is hopelessly addicted to heroin. Everyone except Harry ends up hallucinating a fantasy world.
Requiem for a Dream is pretty accurate in its depiction of addiction.