I have always had affection for depressing movies. I guess observing some one else’s strife makes me feel so grateful for my simple life. Movies about drug use and alcoholism are some of the most tragic yet life affirming movies I have ever seen. I know there are hundreds to pick from, but I picked these from my private collection.
10. Boogie Nights– (1997)
Widely known as the ‘porn’ movie, Paul Thomas Anderson’s second film was a masterpiece. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore and many other talented actors, this film is a tribute to the porn industry in America, circa 1970’s. It follows the rise and fall of Dirk Diggler (Wahlberg), the ‘big boy’ in town. You can just imagine the kind of lifestyle goes along with the success of a porn star and the drug use becomes a regular activity. Julianne Moore has a very memorable scene while on cocaine attempting unsuccessfully to call her estranged son. Boogie Nights is a heartbreaking tale of tragedy, a loss of control and innocence.
9. Leaving Las Vegas– (1995)
This film is Nicholas Cage’s most memorable performance. Based on the novel by John O’Brien, who killed himself shortly before the film was made, this is a diary of his battle with alcoholism. Ben Sanderson (Cage), a Hollywood honcho, has fallen to the bottom of the barrel, consumed with booze and ostracized from his co-workers and family. John decides to sell all of his things and move to Las Vegas, where he will drink himself to death. There he meets Sara, a hooker with a heart tragically played by Elizabeth Shue. The relationship that grows between these two lost souls is almost painful to watch.
8. Blow– (2001)
Johnny Depp is one of today’s greatest actors and this film is one of his most looked over. Co-starring Penelope Cruz and Franka Potente, this film chronicles the life of George Jung. According to the movie, George was the first drug dealer to bring large amounts of cocaine into the United States during the 1970’s. He rises and falls, gets rich and loses it all in the end. Johnny is very convincing and you feel his loss; family, friends, money and finally his freedom.
7. Gia– (1998)
This HBO produced film won Angelina Jolie an Emmy Award. This too is a biopic, telling the rise and fall of late 70’s model Gia Carangi. From the time she was seventeen to twenty-six, Gia rose quickly to the platform of Super Model. Like so many celebrities, drug abuse came along with the stresses of the public eye. In the end she contracts AIDS from intravenous drug use. A must see for any fans of the plump lipped star. She shines!
6. Go-(1999)
This film is not quite as tragic as it is entertaining. Featuring an ensemble cast lead by Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes, Scott Wolf and Jay Mohr; this film has numerous story lines. Very Altmanish, there are about fifteen main characters and four stories that all take place one fateful evening. Half the characters are on some kind of narcotic and calamity ensues. Sarah Polley is very impressive as a young girl unable to pay her rent, so she sells baby aspiring disguised as Ecstasy. Not the best anti-drug movie to show the kids but still a very good study of today’s ‘raver’ generation.
5. Kids-(1995)
This is the film every parent should show their kids. Larry Clark and Harmony Korrine put together a tragic plethora of child corruption, kids left to their own devices. Starring an entire cast of unknown New York City kids, this film features the debut performances of Rosario Dawson and Chloe Sevigny. Sex, Alcohol, Drugs and Violence. Like Go, this stands alone as the definitive study of the youth of the 90’s, just much more realistic. Larry Clark has done numerous films on this subject, but none will compare to this masterpiece.
4. Thirteen– (2003)
Yet another film on lost innocence, this movie addresses the pressures young girls feel when they have little or no parental supervision. This debut film from Catherine Hardwicke was written by star Nikki Reed and was based on events in her own life. The entire cast brings to life stories of sadness, confusion and loss. Evan Rachel Wood plays Tracy, a sweet girl caught in the wrong crowd. Holly Hunter, who plays Tracy’s helpless recovering addict mother, got an Oscar nom for her shattering roll.
3. Drugstore Cowboy– (1989)
Gus Van Sant is notorious for making movies about disillusioned youth. This film stars Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, James LeGros and Heather Graham. The quad travels around and knocks over drugstores, doing any drug they can get their hands on. This is yet another powerful tale of the dangers of drug use and realistically illustrates each characters decline into crime and poverty.
2. Trainspotting– (1996)
Based on the novel by world famous novelist Irvine Welsh, this one packs a punch. Taking place in Scotland, the film follows a group of heroin junkies led by a young and very skinny Ewan McGregor. All the characters are down and out, quitting and restarting their drug use. Chalk full of memorable scenes and lines, this is a definitive film, extremely entertaining and eye opening.
1. Requiem For a Dream– (2000)
This was only Darren Aronofsky’s second film and he was instantly considered a genius. When asked why he made a film about drugs, he said it was simply about addiction. Starring Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and Ellyn Burstyn, this films will bring even the hardest men to tears. This is the most graphically honest film I have ever seen about the extent people will go to satisfy addiction. Burstyn shines as a diet pill popper and Jennifer Connelly is nothing short of extraordinary as Marion, a young woman who will do anything for drugs. This film stayed in my mind for weeks and every time I watch it now, I have to have a blanket in my lap for those moments I can’t bring myself to watch again.
