Movie Review: Black Swan (2010)
Sexual, suspenseful, sensual and thrilling
Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures
NOTE: This review was originally published on September 16, 2010 after I screened Black Swan at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The tragically beautiful and sexually charged Black Swan is an examination of the will of a performance artist in search of perfection. It's a drum roll that builds to a striking crescendo with occasional stabs from the strings, cutting into the heart of the narrative, keeping the viewer on alert. Described as a psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet, it hides none of its mystery but at the same time isn't out to fill in the blanks.
The cast includes Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Black Swan" is a Fox Searchlight Pictures release, directed by Darren Aronofsky and is rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use. The running time is 1 hour 43 minutes.
The film centers on Nina (exquisitely played by Natalie Portman), a passionate ballerina who's been chosen as the featured dancer in the company's first production of the new season, "Swan Lake." Asked to play both the graceful White Swan and the seductive Black Swan, the pressure begins to mount and tests her emotional range. Nina's a dancer more suited as the technical innocent rather than the sensuous siren. She's encouraged in a variety of ways by her director, Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel in a solid, by-the-book performance), but while he recognizes her technical proficiency is perfect for the White Swan, he still doubts her ability to become as uninhibited as necessary for the part of the Black Swan.
Nina's pursuit for perfection is workmanlike and it weighs on her both physically and mentally. Her relationship with her devoted (perhaps overly so) mother (a well rounded performance from Barbara Hershey) becomes fragmented and a twisted rivalry with Lily (Mila Kunis), the company's newcomer and a ballerina that's as unbridled as Nina is restrained, begins to take shape.
Comparisons to Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's The Red Shoes are guaranteed and while there is a likening to be made — considering both find a measure of intensity — Black Swan is a horror film compared to the intensity of The Red Shoes. It's a film where you begin to believe anything is possible. Aronofsky never commits himself to the psychological head games nor does he always stick to the straight-forward drama. He walks a line between the two with ease and never teeters, causing the audience to never feel safe and his cast is up to the task.
Natalie Portman is at her finest in a role that requires every ounce of her talent. Portman studied ballet until she was in her early teens and most of the ballet work you see here is her, including a spectacular, on point prologue. But more important is the emotional depths she goes to bring her character to life. This must have been a taxing performance for Portman but the film benefits greatly.
Kunis is also proving to be a quality up and coming actress that's pretty much shed her days from "That '70s Show" and is beginning to come into her own as a film actress. And a supporting performance from Winona Ryder as the one-time featured dancer Beth MacIntyre whom Nina has pushed out shows Ryder at her best in a limited role. Her performance is likely part of the reason Portman stepped up her game to the level she achieved.
Aronofsky and his long-time cinematographer Matthew Libatique (The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream) tackle the dance scenes with force and his use of mirrors to manipulate the portions of the story is outstanding, particularly a club scene that I can't wait to see again.
Black Swan is sexual, suspenseful, sensual and thrilling. Clint Mansell's score brings Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" theme to sensational heights and folks that were in my screening were humming it as they walked out. This is a film that consumes you one minute at a time and by the end you've been chewed into 103 different little pieces, ready to watch it all over again.
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Hope this comes out in the Philippines.
I couldn't disagree more. I hated this film. This review makes no considerations as to why this film will not appeal to everyone.
keep talking please
I have yet to see it, but I seriously have my doubts about it. There is always one film each year that I'm greatly excited for but then hugley disappointed by. Last year it was District 9. This year I'm starting to feel like Black Swan will take it's place.
Than you already made your mind up, Colin. Your not going to like it, because your already negative towards it.
I'm skeptical about it from some of the more negative/mixed reaction. But I don't think you would've made that comment if it weren't for the fact that I said I wasn't a fan of District 9.
Cannot WAIT to see this tonight.
I liked the film a lot but I cannot help but think that Aronofsky needs to get rid of the handheld camera sometimes. While I thought it worked well in The Wrestler in some of the scenes in this film it often just became distracting.
when you say "by-the-book" for Cassel, do you mean in it a derogatory way towards his performance? I know you have the word solid before it, but I still feel like that comment could be misconstrued to be viewed as compliment wrapped in an insult. I personally felt he was intoxicating to watch…I wish he would have had even more screen time.
Nope, not derogatory, basically exactly what the phrase means in that he didn't do much to turn the dial, but his character didn't really call for anything more than he brought to it so it's not a knock on him.
I HATED Requiem for a Dream while everyone else loved it. I think this is going to be the same situation.
Did you hate it because of of what happens or because of the merits of the film?