MovieChat Forums > The Panic in Needle Park (1971) Discussion > This Or Requeim For A Dream?

This Or Requeim For A Dream?

posted 14 years ago by gbrentc22
23 replies | jump to latest

I absolutely love Requiem, is Panic similar? What are the differences between the 2? And in yalls opinion which is the overall better film? (I've never seen panic by the way.)

[–] x_imdb-385 12 years ago

Requiem is the better MOVIE of the two in terms of cinematography.

The Panic in Needle Park is very realistic, it shows you EXACTLY what it was like being a heroin addict in New York in the early 70s.

Christiane F. is a very good (German) movie about heroin addiction. The story is somewhat similar to Needle Park.

Another Day in Paradise (1998) is also worth checking out.

The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) is a classic in the heroin addiction genre.

obv. The Basketball Diaries (1995) and Trainspotting (1996)

[–] bradme 12 years ago

Requiem for a Dream is good, but it feels false in a way. There's a documentary style to Panic in Needle Park. Requiem flashes the world before you in a matter of seconds, but the camera in Panic lingers. The editing between the two films couldn't be more opposite. There's no post-production visual stylization, everything feels real and gritty. The shots are long, often too long for comfort. We see actual heroin being injected, and the film doesn't cut away, it watches.

If anything, Requiem is a little syrupy in it's portrayal of addiction, kind of begging you to feel sympathy for the characters. In Panic it becomes increasingly hard to feel sympathetic.

They're really only comparable in how much of an opposite approach they take towards the same subject.

[–] hellina-diamond 12 years ago

As a heroine addict myself I would only say that This movie is what The Requiem should have been... just so real, painfully real I would say! I highly recommend it!!!

[–] Lone-Wolf1 12 years ago

You are addicted to female heroes?

[–] digitalbookworm5678 12 years ago

The big difference that nobody else mentioned here. There are no fancy special effects or hallucination sequences in Panic. Straightforward filmmaking at it's best. Not to put down Requiem, A great film in a different style.

It's only with the heart that one can see clearly. What's essential is invisible to the eye.

[–] crolins 11 years ago

I think Requiem takes you more into the mind of an addict, while this movie shows more of the effects drugs can have on your life.

i wish the ring had never come to me.

[–] CoSMiGoNoN 11 years ago

I liked Requiem better than this. IMO the best heroin movie is Christiane F. though.

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

I recall Requiem was a comedy, so you can`t really compare.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] KeiraVatt 10 years ago

I truly liked both films. The acting was superior in both. Panic was gritty and real for the 70's. It is a must see for any fans of film, addiction, or the actors involved. Requiem (also a favorite of mine), as many posters have noted, was a well done and highly produced quick display of the ramifications of drug use. The film Panic takes its time. Either film is time not wasted.

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others WHENEVER they go.

[–] Crown_vic_7 10 years ago

Requiem is alot better. Imo

[–] !!!deleted!!! (24175281) 10 years ago

I'm not sure you really have to choose. I think it's really cool to watch both of them. Both are good and it's interesting to see the same subject matter done in different ways. 'Panic' has no music...follows the same two people and is basically unresolved at the end in a way.

Requiem though is loud and disturbing and is more about addiction, less about a lifestyle.

Panic will leave you kind of frustrated and Requiem will leave you disturbed and sad.

Both are good!

[–] drinknbgerry 8 years ago

I'm working on a film about a taco addict as we type.