Is Requiem for a Dream the Most Depressing Movie Ever?

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The discussion centers around the emotional impact of various films, particularly those deemed depressing or disturbing. "Requiem for a Dream" is frequently mentioned as a profoundly unsettling film that evokes feelings of despair, with several participants expressing a reluctance to watch it again despite its artistic merit. Other films like "Das Boot," "Amadeus," and "Charlie" (based on "Flowers for Algernon") are also highlighted for their heavy emotional weight. The conversation touches on the subjective nature of film experiences, with some participants preferring lighter genres like comedies and adventures, while others appreciate the depth of darker narratives. David Lynch's "Eraserhead" is noted for its disturbing qualities, and discussions about the Holocaust in films like "Schindler's List" lead to debates about the portrayal of historical events in cinema. Overall, the thread reflects a diverse range of opinions on how films can evoke strong emotional responses, whether through sadness, discomfort, or introspection.
  • #61
Hotel Rwanda made me deeply sad. Great film, though.
 
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  • #62
"The Exorcist" made me very sad, but only due my shocked disbelief that anyone would pay money to watch it. That film was pretty much the turn-around point of society's spiral into stupidity.
 
  • #63
Danger said:
"The Exorcist" made me very sad, but only due my shocked disbelief that anyone would pay money to watch it. That film was pretty much the turn-around point of society's spiral into stupidity.

That was an evocative piece of music at least...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmrVlGgPum8&feature



Alright, well here's the real one (pity someone who misspelled it)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZcCxRDtTyM
 
  • #64
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120070/" , with Dennis Quaid. the sledgehammer scene tears me up.
 
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  • #65
"I am Legend"... he shot his own dog. a scene like that in a movie is just not right. I had to make my dog a steak dinner after watching that, and we played fetch for a while.
 
  • #66
Danger said:
"The Exorcist" made me very sad, but only due my shocked disbelief that anyone would pay money to watch it. That film was pretty much the turn-around point of society's spiral into stupidity.

As opposed to what, Night of the Living Dead, or all of the crap people bought into in the sixties? :rolleyes:
 
  • #67
Star Trek Generations

The death of Kirk... I still can't talk about it.
 
  • #68
Ivan Seeking said:
As opposed to what, Night of the Living Dead, or all of the crap people bought into in the sixties? :rolleyes:

Different critters entirely. "The Exorcist", like "The Amityville Horror" later on, was total ******** advertised as a true story. Neither one ever happened, and yet to this day nobody involved in the productions admits that they were pure fiction.
George Romero's stuff, along with blobs, werewolves, etc. were marketed as escapism, and served that role quite well.

edit: And once again the forum software replaced "bovine excrement" with asterisks. That is becoming annoying.
 
  • #69
DaveC426913 said:
Worlds. Best. Quote.
"Too bad she won't live, but then again who does?" :wink:

I thought Once Upon a Time in America, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull & Vanishing Point were all pretty depressing. Maybe not soul-crushing or anything but still depressing.
 
  • #70
Ivan Seeking said:
Star Trek Generations

The death of Kirk... I still can't talk about it.

Too funny. This is why I love this site. Bravo.
 
  • #71
One of them has got to be "Brian's Song" another "Romeo and Juliette" - I much prefer happy, adventurous, or sci fi though.
 
  • #72
oh yeah, the bad lieutenant with harvey keitel is another good (or bad) one
 
  • #73
Danger said:
"The Exorcist" made me very sad, but only due my shocked disbelief that anyone would pay money to watch it. That film was pretty much the turn-around point of society's spiral into stupidity.

Which one? The original?

It's not fair to watch a film decades old through modern-day-coloured glasses.
 
  • #74
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a very well done but very drepressing movie
The ending scenes of Schindler's List and American History X
 
  • #76
Movie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113540/" was extremely depressing
 
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  • #77
DaveC426913 said:
Which one? The original?

It's not fair to watch a film decades old through modern-day-coloured glasses.

:bugeye:
I hope to hell that your aren't saying that someone did a remake! ****, man, the first one was bad enough.
And my assessment was on-the-spot, not a retrospective view. My friend and I were threatened with removal from the theatre by a usher because we couldn't stop laughing during the movie. I actually spewed cola through my nose when Linda puked the pea soup on the priest.
 
  • #78
Danger said:
Different critters entirely. "The Exorcist", like "The Amityville Horror" later on, was total ******** advertised as a true story.

Well, the Amityville horror was based on a hoax, and the Exorcist was not based on a single story. But to suggest that the notion of exorcism, or the idea of possession, was invented in the early 1970's, is pretty silly. In fact the primary story on which it was based took place in 1949.

Neither one ever happened, and yet to this day nobody involved in the productions admits that they were pure fiction.

The people involved in the production of the movies were not the source of the claims.

George Romero's stuff, along with blobs, werewolves, etc. were marketed as escapism, and served that role quite well.

edit: And once again the forum software replaced "bovine excrement" with asterisks. That is becoming annoying.

As opposed to movies about Custer, Lincoln, or almost any significant event in US history? I will have to put on some Beatles albums, take some LSD, tune in, turn on, drop out, chant while playing my satar, and think about that one for a bit. I'm sure the ghost of Timothy Leary will provide some guidance here.
 
  • #79
Ivan Seeking said:
As opposed to movies about Custer, Lincoln, or almost any significant event in US history?

What on Earth possesses you to think that a Canadian could possibly give a **** about any of those?
 
  • #80
Danger said:
And my assessment was on-the-spot, not a retrospective view.

What I mean is: did you see it recently, or in the 70's?

The same thing could be said about Jaws, if you look at it through 21st-century eyes.
 
  • #81
I'd rate "Magnolia" as the most depressing movie I've seen.

"Hotel Rwanda" would probably rank second.

"Charlie" and "On the Beach" rank up there, as well.

If you expand from feature movies to documentary movies, then "Siege of Leningrad" has to be on the list. What a horrible experience for an entire city to go through! The documentary is very moving. It's kind of choppy since it's the compilation of several real life short films documenting the siege, but the choppiness just adds to the mood. Edward Murrow did the English language narration for the documentary.

Looking for the link, I just noticed there is a recent independent feature film about the siege: "Leningrad". That looks like it might be interesting.
 
  • #82
the wrestler and schindler`s list are at the top for me
 
  • #83
What Dreams May Come.

It is on my Movie List, under the heading:

"Movies to see if you want your heart pulled out of the your chest, tossed on the floor and stomped on."

I kid you not. It really is.
 
  • #84
precious was pretty depressing too now that I think of it.
 
  • #85
Ladder 49 (2004), Angels in America (2003) single best movie I ever saw. What Dreams May Come (1998) is very disturbing and thought provoking. And there was one about the trade center collapse that I remember I bawled all the way through, especially when a trapped fire fighter look up and saw Jesus.
 
  • #86
I agree with On the Beach, both versions, and would like to nominate Betty Blue.
 
  • #87
Oh yeah, and I Am Legend (2007), which I am watching for the second time in a row because I am allowed to watch tv and play on the computer on this day because I have depression. So I Am Legend twice in a row is making me feel wowie terrific. :frown: They also tied up our block (all the way around and the park for weeks to make that movie and no one I know even saw Will Smith.) Several of us got parts as extras though. No one from my building had to wear any makeup. :redface:
 
  • #88
Lacy33 said:
What Dreams May Come (1998) is very disturbing and thought provoking.

What is your fascination with Robin Williams?
 

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