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Fred C. Dobbs · Director Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 201 Location: New York

I watched 21 Grams last night, and this is not the first film to leave me emotionally wounded. I feel that films are like drugs. They can make you happy, make you cry, make you laugh, and some can even make you feel depressed. The following films, for me, would be the equivalent to a drug overdose or a bad trip:

Requiem for a Dream - Completley hopeless. I had to take a shower after watching this film. I often joke around that this film makes me want to blow my brains out. A film i'd never be able to revist again, since one of my close friends ruined his life because of drugs.

Persona - This Bergman film coincided with me getting sick, and a series of events in my life which led to a depression. Visually stunning, but at times, too intense for me. Sometimes I think this film is what made me sick and depressed.

21 Grams - Excellent film, but I feel like i'm going to throw up. A film about lthree people loosing everything. Not an ideal Sunday night. I'll probably re-visit it sooner than later though, not as intese as the above two.

Some others:

Raging Bull (Although I frequently revisit it, I always hope for a different outcome)

Eraserhead

Bad Lieutenant (Need I say more?)

Sweet Sweetbacks Baadasss Song (I thought blaxploitation was supposed to be FUN?!)
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the night watchman · Posted: 03.15.2004 7:39 pm Post subject:

The one film that completely devastates me is Cronenberg's Dead Ringers. Jeremy Irons's performance is great, not just because he has a dual role, but because of his ability to evoke the internalized suffering and misery of the twins.

Tooky Cat · Posted: 03.15.2004 10:14 pm Post subject:

I completely agree with Fred's comment about Requiem for a Dream. It's hard to have much optimism left after watching that film. It definately put me in the dumps for a little while.

I also found it ironic how you mentioned that films are like drugs. It seemed like Requiem was trying to do to my mentality what the drugs were doing to the characters in it.

It definately has some good messages in all of its hopelessness though.
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The Ringbearer · Grip Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 24

For me the most depressing film would be Grave of the Fireflies. It is one of very few films that can shatter your heart into pieces as you are watching it.
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Erickson · Camera Operator Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 81

louis · Grip Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 3

Hawkwing74 · Posted: 04.12.2004 4:25 pm Post subject:

I haven't seen some of the other movies listed here but I think Requiem for a Dream is a movie that actually causes emotional pain...I've never seen anything like it.

I was pretty depressed after seeing Schindler's List also, but nothing like Requiem.

Fred C. Dobbs · Director Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 201 Location: New York

Add House of Sand and Fog to that list. Crying or Very sad

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"Pino, fuck you, fuck your fuckin' pizza, and fuck Frank Sinatra."

louis · Grip Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 3

It's funny, cause I didn't think Requiem was nearly as depressing as everyone else.

I mean, it was depressing, but it didn't emotionally impact me the way Amorres Peros did.

I think the thing that depresses me so much about this Mexican director is that (rightly or wrongly) I've gotten the message that "it just doesn't matter" from his films. His films are like that bumber sticker "lifes a bitch and then you die".

I think its the feeling of apathy I get from his movies.

With movies like Schindlers List you know things are wrong ... the movie in fact points out how wrong everything is.

Amorres Peros left me feeling like ... O.K., this sucks, everything sucks, so what ?

Somehow this is more depressing to me.

JoeE · Posted: 04.14.2004 11:35 pm Post subject:

21 Grams was probably my biggest bummer recently. I think The House of Sand and Fog should have been, but it just didn't get to me.

The Ice Storm, In the Bedroom and Funny Games come to mind, too.

beltmann · Posted: 04.15.2004 3:09 am Post subject:

JoeE · Posted: 04.15.2004 11:27 am Post subject:

Yeah, it is. I'm not sure depressing is even an appropriate word. I don't think I've ever been depressed by a film... deeply affected is more apt and being affected is the goal. I like films about pain!

Another one that left me with a "dark buzz" was Stevie (2002, James) Anyone see it?

beltmann · Posted: 04.15.2004 1:41 pm Post subject:

I enjoyed Stevie, although not for the usual reasons. Here's my review.

Eric