Despite my assertion of being a fake film critic, there are just some films regardless of notoriety that I can't get around to seeing. One such film was Oscar darling, Black Swan. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (who captivated me with his direction of The Wrestler) and starring Natalie Portman (whose acting, and... erm... acting I've been a fan of since the days of Phantom Menace), does this haunting and horrifying ballet drama deserve the praise it received from the Academy?
SO WHAT'S THIS MOVIE ABOUT?
Black Swan explores the seedier side of performance art, and the ravaging effects that the obsession with perfection can bring about to the performers. Nina (Portman), a technically meticulous ballerina, is vying for the lead in her struggling company's adaptation of Swan Lake. Nina, however, is an extremely sheltered and frigid individual raised by an overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey), whose own obsession with her daughter's success only adds to the overwhelming nature of her undertaking. However, Nina soon finds that being "perfect" doesn't just mean dancing perfectly, as she's drawn into going "above and beyond" in an attempt to assure her place as the company's new star, leading to less-than savory encounters with the company's trashy director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel). Tensions continue to rise as a new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), whose more free-spirited nature threatens to steal Nina's spotlight. From here, Nina spirals further and further into her obsession, eventually leading to signs of growing madness as the once sweet girl becomes pulled inside the role she so desperately wants.
SO WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS MOVIE?
Aside from practically everything? Truly, I have a difficult time just how excellent I felt this film was. For starters, Darren Aronofsky's direction is amazing. The way he balances the juxtaposition between the elegant art of ballet with the film's exceedingly dirty underbelly is masterful. It provides a roller coaster of emotions for the viewer, who is taken along with Nina on a dizzying descent into madness. Indeed, I've never been a performer myself, but through Aronofsky's direction, I felt the dread, the pressure, and the guilt that the ballerina experienced to the point where even I felt a bit crazy at points.
Of course much of the credit for this also goes straight to the fantastic acting abilities of Natalie Portman. Not only does Portman physically encompass the role she's given, but convincingly transforms as her character transforms; becoming an entirely different person from who she was at the start of the film and exuding an almost otherworldly presence. Of course, Kunis and Cassel do a great job in their own roles, ones that clash with Portman's character at just the right times. However, Barbara Hershey perhaps steals the supporting cast spotlight as the maddeningly overprotective mother to Nina, and Winona Ryder does a great job with her own limited role. Lastly, the film's soundtrack which combines the haunting melodies of Swan Lake with contemporary music and horror movie stings fits perfectly with the film's tone.
SO WHAT SUCKS ABOUT THIS MOVIE?
Very little, actually. I would only say that maybe the advertising campaign for Black Swan fails to convey just how dark and how dirty this film goes. Unprepared audiences may be downright shocked the levels of sleaze this ballet movie sinks down to. Also, the disorienting nature of Aronofsky's direction can do just that, disorient the idle film viewer, so Black Swan definitely isn't a film you're going to watch to relax in the evening. This is a mind trip.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Aronofsky was in line to direct a Wolverine move for a while. He's since left that project, but given his work here and on The Wrestler, I'd say his grim and gritty style would have fit perfectly with the old Canuckle head. Just sayin'...
SO WHAT'S THE FINAL VERDICT?
Occasionally, Oscar-nominated films fail to live up to the expectations that go along with that status. Black Swan is not one of those films. This is a wholly disorienting, often surprising, and extremely dark film about obsession, madness, love, and performing arts. It surely isn't going to hit home with all audiences, but for those willing to let Black Swan sweep them away, they'll find themselves lost to the tale of one performers struggle to keep her role and herself intact. Go see it.
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