Never have I left a movie feeling more depressed and deeply disturbed than when I saw Requiem for a Dream at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute at midnight on March 25.

Loosely summarized, the movie is about four people whose lives are destroyed by drug addictions. Apparently, the movie is supposed to serve as a deterrent or reminder that drugs are bad. If the only way to realize “Hey, drugs are bad!” is by watching a bunch of miserable, confused people spiral downward until there is nothing good left in their lives, then I am content in my ignorance.

I think it would have been a better movie if all of the characters would have died and were put out of their misery.

The camera angles, music and special effects were cool and the acting was well done and believable.

Still, the overwhelming feeling of depression I felt throughout the film overshadowed its good points. The only person I’d recommend this film to is someone completely numb to human emotion. (Perhaps that explains why the film’s “cult-like” following is largely composed of drug addicts.)

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