The film depicts four characters affected by drug addiction . Their addictions cause them to become imprisoned in a world of delusion and reckless desperation . Once that delusional state is overtaken by reality , by the end of the film , they are left as hollow shells of their former selves . The film depicts how drug abuse can alter a person 's physical and psychological state and mindset . '' Requiem for a Dream '' was screened out of competition at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics upon its U.S. release . Burstyn was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance . The music for the movie was written by composer Clint Mansell . Sara Goldfarb ( Burstyn ) , a widow who lives alone in a Brighton Beach apartment , spends her time watching infomercials . Her son Harry ( Leto ) is a heroin addict , along with his friend Tyrone ( Wayans ) and girlfriend Marion ( Connelly ) . The three traffic heroin in a bid to realize their dreams ; Harry and Marion plan to open a clothing store for Marion 's designs , while Tyrone seeks escape from the ghetto and the approval of his mother . When Sara finally receives a call that she 's been invited to her favorite game show , she attempts to fit into a red dress that she wore at Harry 's graduation . Unable to , she begins a restrictive crash diet . Once her packet for the show arrives she becomes even more excited and determined to fit into her dress . At the recommendation of a friend , she visits an unscrupulous physician who prescribes her a regimen of amphetamines to control her appetite while barely looking at her . She begins losing weight rapidly and is excited by how much energy she has . When Harry ( due to his own drug use ) recognizes the signs , he implores her to get off the amphetamines . The film lets us assume that Harry has a very good relationship with his mother . However his mother declines , explaining that the chance to appear on television and the increased admiration from her friends are her remaining reasons to live . Sara becomes frantic waiting for the invitation and increases her dosage , which causes her to develop amphetamine psychosis . Tyrone is caught in a shootout between black traffickers and the Sicilian Mafia , and is arrested in spite of his innocence . Harry has to use most of their earned money to post bail . The local supply of heroin becomes restricted , and they are unable to find any for either use or sale . Eventually , Tyrone hears of a large shipment coming to New York from Florida , but the price is doubled and the minimum high . Harry desperately encourages Marion to prostitute herself to her psychiatrist Arnold for the money . This request , along with their mounting withdrawal , strains their relationship . Sara 's increased amphetamine intake distorts her sense of reality and comes to a head in the form of an elaborate and horrific hallucination in which she is mocked by a crowd from the television show and attacked by her refrigerator
2000 Cannes Film Festival
2000 Cannes Film Festival
Requiem for a Dream