Mini Reviews - Black Swan

Black Swan

BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter,s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well.

Only Darren Aronofsky can make a film that is as visually crazy, devious, psychological disturbing and very beautiful that is just about ballerinas. From the guy who brought you a little depressing film called "The Wrestler" and a even more depressing film (which is one of my favs of all time) "Requiem For A Dream", this is one psychological journey of one girl striving for perfection and goes spiraling out of control literally. Portman does a magnificent performance as a timid mousey girl who is forcing herself to give into the sexual pleasures and darkness in order to be The Swan Queen of the play. And how you see her transformation from being the White Swan she's known as to becoming the seductive and fierce Black Swan is quite extraordinary and you do see her rise and downfall.

The use of practical and make-up effects gives the body horror so much cringe-worthy and it really plays with both the character's mind and our minds as well. It is something Cronenberg would be proud of. Probably the one thing I have complaints about (which this will be a great example) is when they introduce the CG in. With practical and make-up effects, you can tell its real and they enhance the mystery and horror of what the character goes through. But when CG is introduced, it takes away the mystery.

This is a roller-coaster version of the ballet Swan Lake and you feel like you are watching a classical operatic ballet with all the craziness and psychological disturbance. It is dark, unnerving and even beautiful. And plus we have to thank David in giving us one of the most hottest scenes ever filmed involving Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.... oh my god...

4 and a half out of 5 stars