Analysis Of The Four Cinematic Styles Seen In 'Requiem For A Dream'

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bjective sound is used as a tool to control the audience’s level of awareness, as we are often shocked into attentiveness by certain loud sounds. The sound effects used during the process of heroin consumption and in the drug dealing scenes were particularly effective. The sound of a cash register is heard while money is being put into a pocket. The razor-sharp sound of a sword is heard as the heroin is handed over. (This cleverly corresponds with the picture of a sword on every packet of heroin) The sound of an aeroplane taking off is heard when the three friends smoke dagga. This basically emphasises the concept of ‘getting high’. All these unrealistic and amplified sounds in the film contribute to the surreal and dreamlike atmosphere. They also show how drugs can completely disconnect an addict from the real world.

When Sara eats the fat-free breakfast, the audience only sees the food disappear as we hear the slurping of the coffee, the cracking of the egg and the swallowing of the grapefruit. This speeds up the eating process, so the audience can understand how insufficient the meal is. The loud sound and visual of Sara’s clock ticking also adds to the sense of passing time, or perhaps a lack of time as their addictions become progressively worse. The sound of Sara grinding her teeth during her son’s visit is amplified in order for the audience to hear what Harry is hearing. This selective hearing can be noted throughout the film.

Towards the end of the film, Harry has a drug-induced hallucination in which he is running on a pier towards his girlfriend, Marion. He is shouting her name but the audience is only able to hear the sound of his footsteps. This represents the lack of communication in their relationship towards the end of the film. When we see Sara stepping off the scale during her second trip to the hospital, nothing can be heard but an eerie, hollow sound. This allows the audience to experience the empt...