| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
A- |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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|
| Visuals: |
B+ |
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A must see for anyone concerned with addiction(s)
by Kevin (movies profile)
Jul 1, 2008
33
of
38 people found this review helpful
As a person whose lived a portion of my life as a character out of this movie, I have to admit that it is often tough to watch this without swelling up with tears from time to time. The tears are both a reaction to the beauty of their despair and the hope that this movie offers to those who've survived similar circumstances in their own lives. Despite the tragedy of the movie's end, we still do not know the fate of the characters. Perhaps they find religion, god, a 12 step program... maybe they find a reason to stop killing themselves... maybe they spend the rest of their short lives in this living hell... either way, the hope remains for those who may see this film and realize they're on a similar path, and gives those of us who've been there a better reason to never go back. The filmmaking is as honest and true to the atmosphere of addiction as any I've seen ('Trainspotting" was an English Spaghetti Western Comedy, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" a tragic pop-culture movie about insanity wrapped in an addictive garb). Every moment paced perfectly, even shot larger than life... The acting is better than could be expected. Ellen Burstyn deserved an Oscar for her performance (and still gets it in my mind). Leto and Connelly do fantastic jobs, and Wayans does a great supporting actor for someone coming from a comedic background (though he would still be considered the weakest link if one were to be found in the film). Overall this is one of the best films in the history of film. Not because of it's individual performances or individual scenes (though the one bwteen Leto and Burstyn in her apartment is very memorable), but because the entire package creates a universe that I hope most will never have to experience for themselves, a gift that will both humble and enrage its viewer in the face of addiction. |
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