Requiem For A | Dream ((link))

These techniques emphasize the "nothingness" of the dream, highlighting the emptiness of a life lived solely for the next high or the next consumer pleasure. "Ass to Ass": The Dehumanization and Cost of Desire

While the narratives of the younger characters focus on illicit substances, Ellen Burstyn’s portrayal of Sara Goldfarb offers the film’s most tragic critique of consumer culture. Sara’s addiction is sanctioned by society: she is addicted to television, sugar, and eventually amphetamines prescribed by a callous doctor. Her motivation is the pursuit of the American Dream—specifically, the desire to appear on television and wear the "red dress," symbolizing a return to relevance and beauty.