Requiem For A Dream

Requiem For a Dream  is a 1978 novel and film released in the year 2000.  A man named Selby wrote the novel, while Darren Aronofky directed the movie.  The film was nominated for some academy awards.  Here is some information about both versions.

requiem for a dream

Since the novel came first it comes first here too.  It's about a group of four related people.  The group is Harry, Marion, Tyrone and Sara.  Harry and Marion are a couple.  Tyrone is their friend.  Sara is Harry's mother.  Each of them becomes obsessed with gaining their dream.  They all become addicted to something in the pursuit of their dreams.  Sara is obsessed with becoming a TV star.  She turns to diet pills after she thinks a casting company has told her she has a chance at stardom.  Finally she overdoses on the pills.  The other three become heroin dealers.  But they'll become addicted to the drug they seek to sell.  Everyone's life is ruined.

The movie focuses more on Sara and Harry, but still includes Marion and Tyrone.  The plot follows the novel fairly closely.  Also like the novel it takes place during three consecutive seasons – summer, fall, and winter.

Sara spends the summer watching infomercials.  She eats while she watches.  She realizes this makes her fat.  But her life gains new purpose when the producers of the infomercial call her to tell her she may be on the infomercial.  She decides she wants to wear an old red dress that no longer fits her.  She has to diet to do it.  When that doesn't work she sees a doctor who prescribes amphetamines.  She takes to many, addiction develops.  Signs of this addiction are overly happy personality, and constantly grinding her teeth.

requiem for a dream movie

Harry and Tyrone decide to deal drugs.  They think they can some day buy and sell a pound of heroin which would make them wealthy.  Marion believes that the money Harry makes as a drug dealer will allow her to purchase a clothing store.  Tyrone's goal is to end his life of living on the street.

In the fall Sara's addiction has worsened.  She increases the dose because it's no longer helping her.  Soon she begins to hallucinate about her refrigerator moving around the house.  The police bust Harry and Tyrone.  All of the money they have made goes to bail.  They begin to use more of their product themselves.

As expected it's a sad ending.  Winter is horrible.  Harry is hospitalized after plunging from a roof top,  Sara is institutionalized, Tyrone is once again arrested and jailed, and finally Marion can't shake her own heroin addiction.  Everyone except Harry ends up hallucinating a fantasy world.

requem for a dream

Requiem for a Dream is more of a nightmare for the characters in it.

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