Black Swan is an exploration into one's struggle for search of perfection. Are you willing to lose yourself completely for the sake of your art and passion? Take your body and mind to limits you never dreamed were possible? Natalie Portman gives a brilliant performance as a young aspiring ballerina given a chance of a lifetime to play the lead role in Swan Lake. Portman's portrayal of Nina the ballerina is what makes this movie so captivating. The entire movie depends on Natalie Portman's performance and Darren Aronofsky couldn't have picked a better actress for this film. Her transformation into a ballerina is one of the most compelling performance by an actor I have seen since Robert de Niro's role as Jack LaMotta in Raging Bull. You can see the physical and mental training she put herself through in order to get ready for this role.
The use of various camera techniques and well as the imagery of mirrors create a very personal atmosphere. You can literally feel her pain, fear, self-doubt, and mounting paranoia as she prepares for her role as the Black Swan. All I can say is that Natalie Portman really showed her range and maturation as one of the best young actresses around today. This is a mature film intended for an adult audience, so just keep that in mind if you do decide to watch this movie. This film was much darker than I expected it to be, and if you don't mind some graphic images, Black Swan is definitely a film worth checking out. How far are you willing to sacrifice your body and mind to achieve perfection?
#IMDB-8.8/10 (#55 on Top 250)
Rotten Tomatoes- Critics- 88%, Audience- 90%
Yong's Rating- 9.5/10 (Highly recommended)
Glad you enjoyed this Yong! I thought it lacked an emotional undertone so I was left a little too uninvolved to feel like it was a great film. Indeed, entertaining but not very subtle or deep imo.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Definitely one of the best movies of the year. Interested to see how many oscar nominations it will get.
ReplyDeleteI'll be checking this one out in the next few days. Being an Aronofsky fan, I have high hopes.
ReplyDeleteCannot wait to see this!! Love Aronofky, Portman not so much, but I think I can get over that.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed Aronofsky's work as well.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the movie was too dark for my personal taste, Natalie Portman did give a very compelling performance in Black Swan.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Clarabela - very dark, but definitely worth watching. Inspired me to see Aranofsky's other work. YBLM
ReplyDeleteA great movie of incredible tension. Barbara Hershey was amazingly creepy and Portman did a wonderful job. As far as I'm concerned, Aronofsky hasn't hit a bad note yet.
ReplyDeleteThere's certainly a great sense of tension present in all of Aronofky's movies that just draws you in.
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