Bovie Movie

Based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr., this gritty drama concerns four people trapped by their addictions. Harry (Jared Leto), and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are impoverished heroin addicts living in Coney Island, NY, while Harry’s girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) is a fellow addict trying to distance herself from her wealthy father. Harry dreams of scoring a pound of smack, from which he could make enough money to open a clothing boutique with Marion, but so far he and his friends can barely scrape by supporting their own habits. Meanwhile, Harry’s mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn), who spends her days watching television, is told she has the opportunity to appear on her favorite game show; wanting to lose enough weight to fit into her favorite red dress, she visits a sleazy doctor who gives her a prescription for amphetamines. Soon Sara has a drug habit of her own that is spiraling out of control. Requiem for a Dream was directed by Darren Aronofsky, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Selby; it was Aronofsky’s second feature, following his acclaimed independent film Pi

Six unemployed steel workers, inspired by the Chippendale’s dancers, form a male striptease act. The women cheer them on to go for “the full monty” - total nudity.

A solid and interesting treatment of the related topics of weight and body image for women. Well thought out and portrayed, with insightful attention to significant issues for women today regarding self esteem, the importance of individuality versus societal acceptance, and the value of support and respect for physical differences among all people. Touches nicely on the difficulties women have of integrating the perceptions in society of how they should appear,(ie, the ideals of perfect womanhood) against the reality of the actual enormous range of women in the world today. The main character evolves from being insecure and naive, travels a path of self exploration and rises to a more noble and resilient place in the world. The lead roles are played with intelligence and touching candor, leading to a credible and positive climax for this film. I would like to see more from this team, particularly the actress in the lead- she is refreshing and memorable and a welcome presence on the screen.