Analysis on mise-en-scene.

• Ending scene of "Requiem for a Dream", directed by Darren Aronofsky, year 2000.


• Main characters are Sara Goldfarb (played by Ellen Burstyn), Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto), Marion Silver (Jennifer Connelly) and Tyrone C. Love (Marlon Wayans).

Scene starts with Harry's daylight dream of him running on the pier to meet Marion. It looks like he is screaming but only the sound of ocean is heard. After stepping back, a fall occurs. He then wakes up in a crowded hospital room and a nurse sitting in front of him. The camera is breaking rules and filming direct light which comes from the window behind nurse. Harry's face is covered with shadows, his make-up is used to create a sense of misery and loss. Leto shows a truly emotional performance, he is certainly into his characteristic role.

A shot of a dark room and door opening letting the light in comes afterwards. The room is surrounded by different possessions which are hard to recognize because of the lack of light. Marion's characteristic journey and life in this film ends with her sleeping on the couch, wearing almost like yesterdays make-up and heavy clothes, light flowing from her right side, she then falls asleep.

Tyrone's final play is held in a prison where he is spending his first night, wearing a prisoners costume. His bed is surrounded by other bed on one side and a cabinet on the other. Tyrone seems to be in a pain, but tries to fall asleep, dreaming about his long since dead mother. Light is flowing from his right side.

The film closes with Sara falling asleep and dreaming about her being on television show where she gets a prize - her son Harry. The stage is crowded by many other people whose faces are brightened by stage lights. The last shot shows Sara hugging Harry while rays from spotlights have created and "X", which could mean that their union is now destroyed and Sara is just dreaming.

From the scene where Leto realises he has lost everything and starts to cry, diegetic sound is mixed with a song from the soundtrack("Lux Aeterna" by Clint Mansell).

In each character's last scene, they turn on their right side and pull their knees up to their stomach, assuming the fetal position. In his final scene, Harry tries to do the same, but his amputated arm doesn't allow him to.

After all, a great film, magnificent performances, brilliant lights and sound, leaves a high impact on the viewer. I recommend seeing it!