Requiem for a Dream depicts the downfall of four main characters as their lives spin out of control due to drug use. Ellen Burstyn portrays Sara Goldfarb, the mother of Jared Leto’s character Harry. Jennifer Connelly plays Marion Silver, Harry’s girlfriend, while Marlon Wayans portrays Ty, Harry’s best friend. All four characters get caught up in the cycle of addiction after initially experimenting with drugs. In an attempt to make significant profits, Harry, Ty, and Marion venture into selling heroin and quickly achieve success. The amount of money they accumulate continues to increase.
Marion initially questions the concept of selling, but soon realizes she has an abundant supply of heroin for herself. She chooses to snort the heroin, while Harry and Ty opt for injectable consumption. Now moving on to Harry’s mother, Sara Goldfarb: she is a widow who resides alone in a building with other elderly women. One day, she receives a call inviting her to appear on a TV Infomercial Show that she always watches. As she prepares her paperwork, she takes out her favorite dress and realizes she needs to go on a diet. A friend recommends a local doctor who can prescribe diet pills, which marks the beginning of Sara’s decline into addiction fueled by prescription speed.
At the conclusion of the film, all characters are deeply immersed in their addictions. Specifically, Sara Goldfarb experiences intense hallucinations due to excessive speed usage. In an attempt to replenish their dwindling heroin supply, Harry and Ty embark on a journey to Florida. However, their plans are abruptly halted when Harry’s shooting arm becomes infected, necessitating immediate medical attention. Consequently, both individuals are apprehended by authorities while at the hospital. Ty’s final scene takes place in jail, where he undergoes a detoxification process to overcome his heroin addiction. In contrast, Harry’s last appearance is portrayed within a hospital setting, awakening to the realization that his arm has been amputated.
In New York, Marion sells her body in exchange for a large quantity of heroin. Her final scene shows her curled up in the fetal position clutching her drugs. Sara Goldfarb, on the other hand, experiences a nervous breakdown and is admitted to a mental institution where she undergoes electro-shock therapy. In her last shot, she is depicted wearing hospital clothing and staring blankly. The movie includes various addictive substances such as prescription amphetamines, sedatives, and heroin. Additionally, there are occasional instances of marijuana usage, although it is not the primary substance of addiction. The three younger characters primarily abuse heroin. The film portrays scenes of drug preparation, administration, and shows close-ups of dilating pupils. Harry and Ty’s drug use is depicted through images of a lighter, a boiling cup of water, a needle, and intravenous drug use. In contrast, Marion consumes her heroin differently with scenes showing powdered heroin, rolled-up dollar bills, lines of heroin on a mirror, and the sound of snorting as the drug vanishes.
After a scene of the camera zooming out, the audience witnesses the main characters lying on the floor in a drug-induced state of happiness. Sara Goldfarb utilizes her prescribed amphetamines, and there is a close-up shot of her consuming the pills. The camera then shifts its focus to her energetically moving around her apartment while cleaning and performing various tasks. Towards the end of the day, she ingests a different pill and swiftly dozes off in her chair. There is a particular moment where she is seen in bed, restlessly moving around; clearly, the sleeping pills have stopped being effective and she is now plagued with insomnia. This scene serves as a critical analysis.
The movie explores different aspects of substance abuse, including its effects on the characters. Initially, drug use appears to be a source of recreation and enjoyment for the three young characters. However, as they become addicted, the fun quickly diminishes and their lives spiral out of control. Additionally, Sara Goldfarb’s struggle with weight loss leads her to opt for prescription amphetamines as a quick solution. This highlights the message that a pill can offer an easy fix for weight issues. Ultimately, all the characters become heavily dependent on substances, resulting in significant changes to their lives.
Harry and his girlfriend lose their deep love connection due to their shared obsession with heroin. Additionally, Marion turns to prostitution as a means to support her addiction, while Ty finds himself incarcerated. Meanwhile, Harry undergoes the amputation of his arm due to an abscess caused by his drug use. As for Sara Goldfarb, the toll of substance abuse leads to her mental deterioration and subsequent institutionalization, where she receives electroshock therapy in an attempt to elicit a response.
B. Description of the message conveyed to the public regarding the advantages and disadvantages of drug use:
In the movie, the public witnesses the transformation of casual drug use into a severe addiction. Initially, all the characters use their preferred drugs to achieve the desired outcome. Despite their increasing dependence, the group continues consuming substances without altering their behavior or reducing intake. Even when it becomes apparent that their situation has spiraled out of control, they do not seek assistance. One of the movie’s themes glamorizes drug dealing, highlighting the potential for lucrative profits through drug sales.
Both Ty and Marion, the characters in the movie, are impacted by this portrayal. Ty, who has humble beginnings, aspires to establish a drug empire and live a lavish lifestyle. Meanwhile, Marion, belonging to a wealthy family, also falls victim to the misconception that there will be no repercussions for using and distributing drugs. Additionally, the public is misled into thinking that even if women become addicted, they can easily access drugs by engaging in sexual transactions. This notion is reinforced through glamorous scenes at the end of the movie, where Marion entertains high-end clients through dancing, creating a distorted perception of the glamorous side of drug addiction.
Sara Goldfarb, the mother, wants to shed pounds but opts for a shortcut by using diet pills instead of adopting a healthier lifestyle. This reinforces the belief that amphetamine pills are a viable alternative for weight loss. Additionally, Ty and Harry provide a clear example of the consequences of drug abuse, as they both land in jail – Ty detoxing while incarcerated, and Harry detoxing in the hospital after losing his arm. Thus, the film effectively showcases the severe harm that can arise from drug addiction. C: Description of possible lessons for other students studying pharmacology:
The information about drug use in the movie coincides with the information provided in Pharmacology class and Drugs and Society by Hansen et al. Students studying Pharmacology can observe the firsthand definitions of abuse and withdrawal in the movie. The three main characters in the movie exhibited signs of increasing their heroin intake to achieve a high. The quantities they initially consumed were relatively small.
At the conclusion of the film, the three individuals addicted to heroin would soon experience withdrawal symptoms after their final dose. During withdrawal, their heightened agitation would lead them to vent their frustrations on each other. Page 232 of the text acknowledges that heroin and its withdrawal provoke self-centeredness, demanding behavior, impulsivity, and the domination of one’s cravings for the drug. This pattern is also evident in Sara Goldfarb, who finds temporary relief by relying on diet pills. Additionally, her sleeping pills induce sleepiness.
Even though she eventually needed more and more speed to feel its effects, the hallucinogenic impact became increasingly noticeable. Similarly, the aforementioned statement is applicable to the withdrawal experienced by the main characters and discussed in class. Due to some absences during the screening of the movie Constant Craving in Pharmacology class, not everyone witnessed the intense physical suffering endured by a heroin addict during withdrawal.
On page 234, the authors describe the physical symptoms experienced by addicts within a day or two after their last dose, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, chills, fever, and goose pimples. These symptoms are clearly evident in Tyrone’s experience of going cold turkey in jail, where he is seen “kicking the habit” with cramped muscles and flailing legs. Sara Goldfarb’s experience with amphetamine addiction parallels the description in the text. She starts her day by taking pills and experiences a “high” (p. 55). The text also notes that amphetamines do not lead to physical dependence (p. 257). However, her issues are more mentally harmful than the physical withdrawal typically associated with amphetamine withdrawal. Her psychological effects include excessive talkativeness, distrust of others, hallucinations, and psychosis (p. 267). These topics have been discussed both in class and in the text. It was mentioned that some injection drug users need to find alternative veins when their preferred vein collapses, becomes ulcerated, or develops an abscess. However, Harry does not engage in this behavior.
He made the decision to continue using drugs in his infected arm. This information is extremely valuable for students studying Pharmacology, as they can witness the severe consequences that addicts endure by remaining in their addiction. Additionally, it is important to critically analyze the information presented in the video and compare it to the portrayal of drug and alcohol use in the media. Nowadays, there are conflicting messages surrounding drug use in the media. It is often glamorized when individuals build empires by selling illicit substances on the streets and then ascending the social hierarchy. The film also depicts this phenomenon, showcasing how two male drug dealers initially experience success in their pursuit to distribute street drugs.
One of them even purchases a television for his mother with some of his earnings. The media often emphasizes the presence of alcohol and drug use accompanied by a lively and celebratory vibe. For the characters in the film, life initially resembled a festive occasion until their excessive indulgence in substance abuse spiraled out of control. Additionally, a prominent motif depicts drug use as appealing and alluring for women. Marion experiences a profound transformation in her relationship with Harry when they engage in drug use together; however, their once thriving connection deteriorates when their drug supply diminishes, leaving them dissatisfied and discontent.
The text highlights the idea that women turn to prostitution when they are heavily addicted. This is evident in Marion’s situation when she is abandoned by Harry and craves a fix. She resorts to trading sexual favors for heroin, relying on one specific person for supply. The text further asserts that this video can be utilized for educational purposes, be it for prevention or treatment. Its accurate depiction of heroin and amphetamine abuse adds credibility to its suitability for drug prevention initiatives.
Additionally, the transformation in the main characters’ actions when they become addicted provides educational value. The film portrays the horrifying and frequently fatal consequences of drug abuse through injection, ingestion, and inhalation. In a supervised treatment environment, this movie would serve as a valuable educational resource by illustrating the physical, mental, and emotional devastation caused by drug addiction. Its validity and lack of misleading information make it suitable for both heroin and methamphetamine prevention and treatment efforts.
