This is a beautiful film starring Halle Berry, Benicio del Toro and, (even though his character dies in the first 10 minutes of the movie) David Ducohvny.
It is a very beautifully done piece about heroin addiction and survival from all things. The characters and the film is presented in a very realistic manner, shots are slow and wide, there is no quick cutting around, as a viewer, you stay with the people and the story for a very long time and soak it in. Following in the naturalism vein, none of the characters wear any facial makeup. This is notable especially on Berry, who is obviously still gorgeous, but this lack of cover allows her acting to come from deep down and lets the audience see that depth. It seems at times as if she is acting from her pores, it's so ingrained. Del Toro also benefits from this choice, as an addict, he looks honestly awful most of the time. But this makes the progression over the course of the film more powerful.
The complicated narrative is also served by this simplistic presentation, the audience is often lulled into a plotline only to realize it belatedly with a jolt at the exact moment of realization for the characters. This creates an added empathy between viewer and character.
The movie also is presented in an interesting mix between past and present, which again, in an ancillary way, adds to the beautiful pace and unfolding of the film.
The movie strays from overly dramatic renderings of drug use and cliched plotlines. All that is left is beautiful acting, a ringing true story, and the serene yet memorable visuals.
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