1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A reasonably priced combination of two of the more interesting US 'indie' films of recent years, May 30 2011
This review is from: Requiem for a Dream / Pi (Double Feature) (DVD)
Both of these first two films by Darren Aronofsky have much
to recommend them. Viewed together, they show the start
of one of the truly original voices in film today. I don't
always love all elements of Aronofsky's films, but I always respect
him for his willingness to take on big themes, and tell stories
in unique and challenging ways. Here are my comments on
these two films;
Pi - so odd, brave, idiosyncratic and haunting, that I want to forgive it it's flaws.
Made on a shoestring, but using those limitation to create a unique
look and style, this is a psychological thriller about paranoia and
ideas, that puts you inside the lead character's head as he slowly
cracks up, trying to figure out the mathematical basis of all life. He
gets mixed up with Hassidic Jews who think he may have found the true
name of god, and wall street traders who want his secret for riches.
Full of surreal touches, it's not always clear what's real and what's
in our lead character's head - but rather than being annoying, that
only pulls you in deeper. To me it recalled great surreal earlier films
like "Eraserhead", and "Seconds", but on speed.
"Requiem for a Dream" - Amazing on a purely cinematic level -
assaultive, hyper-kinetic, full of breathtaking images and cuts.
The performances too range from good
(Jared Leto) to extraordinary (Ellen Burstyn).
But for me, after a while, the style becomes the substance, and I'm
ever more aware of the filmmaking rather than the story and characters,
Also, other than 'drugs are bad', I'm not sure what Aronofsky is really
getting at. There are interesting implications that our real addiction
is to our dreams, and escaping whatever our reality is, but those
themes are never fully played out. So we end up with a film made with
the technical skill of a Scorsese or Kubrick, but missing a layer of
depth in favor of (admittedly amazing) pyrotechnics.
Last, it feels like the film 'cheats' more on reality as it goes along.
By the end the story twists start to join the style in being over the
top, and a bit illogical.
Now, all that carping aside, I still recommend this film for it's
bravery, performances, and technical virtuosity. And it grew on me on a
2nd viewing. And I'm a fan of Aronofsky's. But I'm in the minority in
admiring this film, but not being able to completely embrace it.
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