Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Number 5

Black SwanBlack Swan is an important film. It stars the amazing actress Natalie Portman and depicts the chaotic and borderline toxic world of ballet. Just like in Aronofsky’s film Pi, we see our protagonist’s descent into madness. It is scary, depressing, and heartfelt. However, the fault of the film is its plot. The use of an evil double personality is something seen many times before in films and is hardly innovative. This film took a lot of its inspiration from the plot and cinematography of the Japanese Animated film Perfect Blue, which I can’t help but see as a more frightening depiction of the same concepts.  

Number Four

The Wrestler

A slice of life film about self-destruction, reconnection, and humanity. Similar to The Whale, one of the largest draws of the film is the critical redemption of an actor. Mickey Rourke was on a descent towards obscurity after multiple facial injuries from boxing caused multiple surgeries on his face. Fortunately, Aronofsky felt that the character of Randy “The Ram” Robinson was in a similar position to Rourke, which led to the casting. This makes the film extremely personal and compassionate. A small story that depicts a former wrestler finding his way without being able to do the one thing he knows. The slow pace will definitely lose a few members of the audience, but the ones that stick around will not be able to help loving Randy the Ram.