BBBB.5
(out of 5)
Harrowing, uncompromising look at the world of drug addiction, Darren Aronofsky’s sophomore effort is a masterpiece of visual elegance and hard-edged style that surpasses his witty but self-conscious debut, Pi. Here the fast-paced cutting and frenetic energy do get wearing at times, but on the whole the psychotic carnival ride of images is so suited to the subject matter that it makes it all feel appropriate. Ellen Burstyn stars as a Long Island retiree whose life changes when she finds out from an anonymous phone call that she is going to be on a talk show. Feeling herself to be overweight, she starts taking dangerous diet pills that overtake her completely and send her down a terrifying spiral of addiction. Her son (Jared Leto) is himself a junkie who gets high with his equally hooked girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly). There’s no end to the trouble these three put themselves through to get the stuff they want, with Connelly an especially disturbing character who easily trades her body for the slightest chance of scoring. The film is completely off-putting to anyone with a weak stomach, but it is also compelling and admirable filmmaking with a terrific edge.
USA, 2000
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Screenplay by Hubert Selby Jr., Darren Aronofsky, based on the book by Hubert Selby Jr.
Cinematography by Matthew Libatique
Produced by Eric Watson, Palmer West
Music by Clint Mansell
Production Design by James Chinlund
Costume Design by Laura Jean Shannon
Film Editing by Jay Rabinowitz
Film Festivals: TIFF 2000
Cast Tags: Abraham Abraham, Abraham Aronofsky, Ajay Naidu,Aliya Campbell, Allison Furman, Ami Goodheart,Andrew Kessler, Ben Cohen, Ben Shenkman,Bill Buell, Brett Feinstein,Brian Costello, Bryan Chattoo, Carter Mansbach, Chad Weiner,Charlotte Aronofsky, Chas Mastin, Chris Varvaro,Christopher McDonald, Craig Rallo,Daniel Clarin, David Seltzer,Denise Dowse, Dylan Baker, Eddie De Harp,Ellen Burstyn, Eric Cohen, Geordan Reisner, Greg Weissman,Gregg Bello, Heather Litteer, Henry Stram, Jack O’Connell, Janet Sarno,Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Jenny Decker,Jesse Weissberger, Jim Centofanti, Jimmie Ray Weeks, Joanne Gordon,John Getz, Joshua Pollack, Keith David, Keith Michaels, Keith Scandore, Leland Gantt, Lianna Pai,Louise Lasser, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Mark Margolis,Marlon Wayans, Michael Kaycheck, Nina Zavarin,Olga Merediz, Peter Cheyenne,Peter Maloney, Ricardo Viñas, Ricky Fier, Robert Dylan Cohen, Ross Lombardo, Samia Shoaib,Scott Bader, Scott Chait,Scott Franklin, Scott Miller,Sean Gullette, Shaun O’Hagan, Stanley B. Herman, Suzanne Shepherd, Te’ron A. O’Neal, Todd Miller
Academy Award Nomination
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ellen Burstyn as “Sara Goldfarb”)
Golden Globe Award Nomination
Best Performance By An Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama (Ellen Burstyn)
New York Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actress (Ellen Burstyn)
National Society of Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Actress (Ellen Burstyn)
National Board Of Review Award
Special Recognition, for excellence in filmmaking
Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Ellen Burstyn)
Independent Spirit Awards
Best Female Lead (Ellen Burstyn)
Best Cinematography
Nominations
Best Feature
Best Supporting Female (Jennifer Connelly)
Best Director (Darren Aronofsky)
Toronto Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Supporting Performance, Female (Ellen Burstyn)
Boston Film Critics Award
Best Actress (Ellen Burstyn)
Nomination
Best Cinematography
Chicago Film Critics Award
Best Actress (Ellen Burstyn)
Nomination
Best Director (Darren Aronofsky)
