Culture -- 3 days ago
Words: Violet
You all know the films. Every said you had to see it, you are glad you’ve seen it, but as the final credits roll you find yourself recounting that you will never see that film again. With lots of movies, in particular the 10 on our list, you can appreciate its brilliance but the harrowing and emotionally draining subject matter mean that you will probably never endure it again.
Requiem for a Dream (2000), , Darren Aronofsky offers a depiction of addiction like no other. Not only following the increasingly extreme and disturbing lives of heroin addicts Harry (Jared Leto), Marion (Jennifer Connelly) and Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) as the seek that next high but also Harry’s mother who becomes addicted to weight loss pills in the lead up to her appearing on an infomercial.
The Machinist (2004), , Christian Bale pushing his body to the absolute limit for his art as he plays a paranoid insomniac. His emaciated frame adds to the effect of the character, sure, but it is something that we would rather not see again.
United 93 (2006), , The fact that it is recreating the harrowing true events of 9/11 makes United 93 a difficult film to watch. Directed by Paul Greengrass, he has used actual phone calls from the passengers. The film is undiluted, tense and emotional.
Schindler’s List (1993), , Some of Liam Neeson’s best work to date, this Steven Spielberg classic sees Oskar Schindler save many Jewish lives by offering them work in his factories in the Holocaust. Speilberg hasn’t shied away from the sheer devastation and horrific nature of the historical event, rather managed to tell one man’s unbelievable story. You will appreciate Speilberg’s brilliance with this film but the harrowing subject matter make it difficult to watch twice.
Candy (2006), , Another raw and devastating tale of love and addiction., Happiness (1998), , The created much controversy when it was released due to its heavy sexual themes and its portrayal of pedophilia. Todd Solondz’s Happiness is anything but happy, rather a very intense look at the deepest workings of human despair.
Revolutionary Road (2008), , The American Dream gone bad, Revolutionary Road sees married couple Frank and April Wheeler (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) go from happy couple excited for where their lives will take them through to their depression as they realise they fit the mould just like everyone else.
Precious (2009), , This is the raw, harrowing and (in the end) uplifting story of a young, overweight, illiterate, black teen in America. Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, seeing Precious’ struggle and suffering is unrelenting and dark.
Hard Candy (2005), , Ellen Page’s character Hayley gets caught up talking to an older man online then attempts to reveal him as a pedophile. The film is captivating yet disturbing.
Funny Games (1997), , This post-modern thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout as he expertly highlights an audience’s fascination with violence.
