History YMMV / RequiemForADream

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: The film's use of the "hip hop montage", a series of rapid cuts accompanied by sound effects, looks normal now, despite the fact that this was the film that popularised its use (Creator/DarrenAronofsky previously used it in ''Film/{{Pi}}''.) This extends to the point where ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' used a similar montage to show Homer's reaction to eating a [=McRib=] sandwich, which [=McDonald's=] themselves then copied for a bacon wrap ad.

* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct: Marlon Wayans.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE0UA8RREX4 The remix]] of the main theme practically has a life of its own now.

* MostAnnoyingSound: "Can you hear me? Can you see me?" "Yes, sir." "Okay for work."

* EarWorm: The film's famous theme (see above) can easily become this. Especially if you've heard it before.

** [[Film/{{Hulk}} Betty Ross]] and [[Film/SuicideSquad the Joker]] are lovers! Comic book fanboy juice! Don't forget [[WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}} Goliath]].

** Ellen Burstyn's heartbreaking performance as Sara lost the Academy Award for Best Actress to Creator/JuliaRoberts in ''Film/ErinBrockovich''.

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Xmtf600KU The unaltered scene of Hubert Selby Jr. as the guard.]]
* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Used really oddly to highlight decidedly unawesome events.

* HeReallyCanAct: Marlon Wayans.

** The movie's theme, "Lux Aeterna", is so famous it's heard by people before they've even seen the movie. The fact that Russian urban legends hold it to be originally composed by Mozart is telling .

** The movie's theme, "Lux Aeterna", is so famous it's heard by people before they've even seen the movie.

* AwardSnub: The film received a single [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Oscar]] nomination and won nothing. Considering the film's staying power [such as being ranked 80th on IMDB's top 250 films, as well as it's visual style being the subject of thoughtful video essays[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkDL50mXbbI]]], it's absence in the Best Director and Best Picture categories seems increasingly questionable in retrospect.

* AwardSnub: The film received a single [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Oscar]] nomination and won nothing. Considering the strength of the film's artistry and that its staying power seems to only grow with time [such as being ranked 80th on IMDB's top 250 films], it's absence in the Best Director and Best Picture categories seems increasingly questionable in retrospect.

* AwardSnub: The film received a single [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Oscar]] nomination and won nothing. Considering the strength of the film's artistry and that its staying power seems to only grow with time [such as being ranked 80th on IMDB's top 250 films], it's absence in the Best Director and Best Picture seems pretty absurd in retrospect.

* AwardSnub: The film received a single [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Oscar]] nomination and won nothing.

* FirstInstallmentWins: Even though the film is the second feature length film by Darren Aronofsky, it is considered to be his best.

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: The film's use of the "hip hop montage", a series of rapid cuts accompanied by sound effects, looks normal now, despite the fact that this was the film that popularised its use (Aronofsky previously used it in ''Film/{{Pi}}''.) This extends to the point where ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' used a similar montage to show Homer's reaction to eating a [=McRib=] sandwich, which [=McDonald's=] themselves then copied for a bacon wrap ad.

** Creator/ChristopherMacDonald as the "JUICE" infomercial/motivational speaker Tappy Tibbons, whose program Sara watches and she believes she's getting invited to as a "contestant". They filmed an entire presentation of the "JUICE" program in one day with [=MacDonald=] improvising most of it. At the end of the shoot, ''everyone'' in attendance gave him a standing ovation.

* SpecialEffectFailure: As sad as the film's ending is, it does get ruined when one notices Jared Leto's real arm pressed up against him can be seen under the blue sheet, and when people can see the cotton on the ground masquerading as snow (when the ladies try to console each other after seeing Sara) and that it was clearly shot in a summer day.

** Jennifer Connelly's acting got some nominations in different award systems and still won none.

* EnsembleDarkhorse:
** Creator/KeithDavid as Little John of the club.

* HilariousInHindsight: Creator/DylanBaker playing a doctor who is involved in an amputation? Wouldn't be the [[Film/SpiderMan2 last time]].

** Christopher [=MacDonald=] as the "JUICE" infomercial/motivational speaker Tappy Tibbons, whose program Sara watches and she believes she's getting invited to as a "contestant". They filmed an entire presentation of the "JUICE" program in one day with [=MacDonald=] improvising most of it. At the end of the shoot, ''everyone'' in attendance gave him a standing ovation.

* AdaptationDisplacement: Even after 2000, many people though that the film was an original film and not an adaptation of a book.

** Uncle Hank, better known as "the ass-to-ass guy".
** Creator/KeithDavid as the member of the club.

** [[Film/{{Hulk}} Betty Ross]] and [[Film/SuicideSquad the Joker]] are lovers! Comic book fanboy juice!

** Little John, simply for being played by Keith David.

* EnsembleDarkHorse: Uncle Hank, better known as "the ass-to-ass guy".

* HilariousInHindsight: Creator/DylanBaker playing a doctor who is involved in an amputation? Wouldn't be the [[SpiderMan last time]].