John says: Black Swan is like no other movie I have seen this year. It is difficult (if not impossible) to classify into any one genre, and the story remains cryptic and open, from the very first shot to the last. Despite all the mystery I felt after the screening, I can't get it out of my mind - trying to unravel everything that happened, make connections, sort through the plot - and in that regard I would consider the film a huge success.
The movie follows Nina (played by Natalie Portman), who seemingly has worked as a dancer for years but finally gets her break - the coveted lead role in 'Swan Lake.' Lily, a new dancer (played by Mila Kunis) appears, and slowly Nina's world of perfection and repetition is completely jolted off course. The movie could have taken the course of a typical drama, but by graphically illustrating Nina's inner (and outer) transformations, moments become surprisingly horrific. It's a balancing act that the director, Darren Aronofsky, manages to pull off with great ease and an unflinching sense of truth.
In terms of acting, Natalie Portman is brilliant. This could have been a role in which a lesser actor would just act scared and fake tears. Portman manages to bring great depth, playing a part that essentially mirrors the White Swan she portrays on stage. She manages to be both powerful and completely humbled, often times simultaneously. Definitely one of the strongest and most thorough performances of the year. Mila Kunis also deserves praise - one wouldn't expect a star of 'That 70's Show' to provide such a solid performance, but she keeps us guessing from start to finish. Winona Ryder (yes, she's in this movie), playing the part of an aged dancer reaching retirement is completely riveting. Her total screen time can't sum to more than 5 minutes, but her every moment is perfect. Barbara Hershey wraps up the lead cast playing Portman's harsh, oftentimes psychotic mother. In a 'Carrie-esque' fashion, her character hovers over every aspect of Nina's life, There's sympathy to be found in her, yet there is always a sense of unease, too.
There's little resolution to many of the characters, very few moments of revelation, and there's never a sense of a solid basis in reality. How much of what we see is real? How much is imagined? I don't want to provide any spoilers (if that's possible) but I feel like this movie may be a bit more abstract than the average movie-goer may suspect. It's gorgeously photographed and meticulously pieced together, and in many ways it's beautifully effortless like the dancing we see on screen. You have never seen dancing (or anything for that matter) filmed in this way. It's immersive, stunning, completely engrossing.
Darren Aronofsky has created a vast assortment of films, from Requiem For A Dream and The Wrestler. You can feel his presence with Black Swan - the harsh grittiness of the editing, the manic camera work, the focus on characters going through a change, etc.
This is a fascinating, harsh, disturbing, brilliant movie. As dangerous a movie as it is, this movie seems locked for a Best Picture nomination. Aronofsky, too, makes risky movies that don't always sit well with audiences - but his meticulous and startling work here definitely could and should garner him a directing nomination as well. Unlike any other movie this year: a unique, mind-boggling masterpiece.
Maureen says:
Darren Aronofsky creates a new and completely different genre with this film: the psycho-"drorror" thriller... or something. Black Swan is dark, mysterious, and shocking... but in all of the best possible ways.
The film is centered around ballerina Nina, played by the stunning Natalie Portman. She is perfect in the role; I've almost never seen a role so well-cast, and she does an impeccable job with a difficult and layered part. This slight actress will be a force to be reckoned with at the 2010 Academy Awards. Mila Kunis perfectly complements the innocent Portman and embodies the very definition of a dark temptress. She is at her finest, and it will not be surprising to see her recognized with multiple nominations. Nina's mother - played by Barbara Hershey - is also outstanding. Although secondary to the overall plot, Hershey manages to make Nina's mother the center of attention in each scene, and makes the audience's collective skin crawl progressively more with each appearance.
Filmmaking-wise, this is up there with the year's finest. Dark cinematography, spooky lighting, and edge-of-your-seat editing make this film a thrill ride from beginning to end. I actually found myself physically exhausted by the end of it, having been enthralled and tense the entire way through. The sets and particularly the costumes are beautifully designed and make each scene mesmerizing to watch.
The story itself is a completely unique one, not only filled with symbolism but based almost entirely on it. Completely abstract, surreal, and cryptic... but despite the very nature of the film, it has the audience desperately waiting to see what happens next, regardless of whether it will make sense or not, regardless of whether it will be "real" or not. That being said, some of the artistic liberties may be a bit too liberal... where does one draw the line between symbolism and gratuitous horror? The "shock" factor here, though nearly perfectly executed in nearly every instance, was not always a positive addition to the story. When certain visuals remind you of The Ring, that's where you begin to wonder about the film's overall intent: is it to shock and amaze? Or simply to terrify?
A risky, gritty, disturbing piece... but a story that will stick with you for hours, even days afterward. Certainly not for the faint of heart; but for those looking for a true cinematic "experience," you have come to the right place.
(Awards potential: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Portman), Best Supporting Actress (Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis) Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design)
