A Google Search came up with this: "Foreign Accent Syndrome". Apparently, a few people, who after suffering from a stroke, recovered, but spoke with a different accent. A case featured a woman from Indiana, US who now speaks with an accent that is more closely described as British (a mix of cockney and West Country). Amazing. Damage to a small part of the brain can result in very odd conditions. Many more, i remember hearing on Radio on the Reith Lectures last year, i think.


Watched 'Requiem for A Dream' last night on DVD. Golly, it's a very dark film. Worthy of a (18) rating. Here's the synopsis on the DVD cover:
Darren Aronofsky follows up his acclaimed debut 'pi' with this gritty emotionally charged film set admist the abandoned beaches and faded glory of Coney Island, Brooklyn. Based upon the novel by celebrated author Hubert Selby Jnr., the story intricately links the lives of a lonely widowed mother (Ellen Burstyn), her son Harry (Jared Leto), his beautiful girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly) and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans). REQUIEM FOR A DREAM is a hypnotic tale of 4 human beings each pursuing their vision of happiness. Even as everything begins to fall apart, they refuse to let go, plummeting with their dreams into a nightmarish, gut-wrenching freefall.


I enjoyed the film very much, but doubt i can stomach a 2nd viewing. 1 scene involving Ellen Burstyn and Jared Leto was my personal favourite. Harry was visiting his mom in her flat, and that particular conversation struck me as really sincere, heartfelt writing. Could only be written by someone who has been through that. "We need a reason to live, it makes tomorrow better."
Wanted to see the film when it came out in 2000, alas it was rated R(A) then in Singapore. No way i could have watched it. But i agree, the film is unsuitable for younger people. The themes it deals with is too dark. But it definitely makes for a great film to dissuade would-be drug users.
Arguably, you might say the characters are too self-delusional, they can't seem to climb out of their nightmare, which makes it a tad unrealistic. But i think that's what makes it real. Ellen Burstyn got robbed of the Oscars for Best Actress 2001 from Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich) . BAH!