Black Swan

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Black Swan. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Written by Mark Heyman & Andres Heinz & John J. McLaughlin. Screen Story by Andres Heinz.

100th review countdown....#95

MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.

Runtime: 108 min

Cast

Natalie Portman     - Nina Sayers / The Swan Queen

Mila Kunis - Lily / The Black Swan

Vincent Cassel - Thomas Leroy / The Gentleman

Barbara Hershey - Erica Sayers / The Queen

Winona Ryder - Beth Macintyre / The Dying Swan


There's no doubt that ballet is not just a form of dance. It's a form of moving art. I myself am not a fan of ballet but I have always respected the intricacy and beauty that it presents to it's audience. Darren Aronofsky has found a way to turn this work of art and pervert it in ways only he can.

And ladies and gentlemen....that's a very good thing.

Nina is an accomplished, technically sound dancer who's main focus is to be perfect on the stage. This is manifested mostly by her very controlling mother who is trying to recapture her lost dancing career by living it through her daughter. Very early on you see the sacrifice that's required for Nina to maintain her physical appearance and ballet skills. It's a very demanding lifestyle that is accompanied by unforgivable amounts of pressure and competition.

When Thomas decides to open his season with a radical interpretation of Swan Lake, he selects Nina for the role. The catch is she must play both the white and black swan which proves to be challenging for Nina because she doesn't possess the natural raw seductive presence that's necessary to distinct the two very different characters. As Nina works on her inner black swan she's struggles with a recharged sexual attitude and severe competition with a rival dancer. These factors send Nina down a very dark road that changes her life forever.

Just like in The Wrestler, Aronofsky takes a well known form of entertainment and strips it down to it's soul. He exposes every aspect of it's success and failure. He does this by showing you the journey of the main character. The common denominator of these people is that for one reason or another, they are broken. In The Wrestler, The Ram was a beaten down former superstar trying to hold on to the glory days of the past. In Black Swan, Nina is in the prime of her ballet career headed for stardom but her outside influences coupled with her restrained outlook on life have held her back to becoming what she desires most. It's those struggles that give Aronofsky the freedom to take these characters down to the depths of hell.

The best part about that is that he keeps them there.

The process seems a bit more deliberate in Black Swan. The ways that Nina falls into the darkness range from the very subtle to the balls out, in your face reveal. It's those moments that Aronofsky handles with both care and razor sharp precision. It's those moments make the film as good as it is. As Nina's mind plays tricks on her, the film plays tricks with yours. You will have a hard time coming to a clear conclusion about what's going on in Nina's head until the end. That's brilliant storytelling and directing.
I think that this might be Aronofsky's finest directorial work because of what he was able to accomplish considering he was working with a paper thin plot. The script is very basic at it's core and it was transformed into a spectacle.

That's what this guy can bring to the table.

His trademark hand held camera use and tracking shots employ their own power to the story adding another ingredient to an already well made dish. Of course, he can't do it alone. He has some help in the form of four terrific actors. Natalie Portman leading off owns Nina's character. When you see her fail to unleash the passion in her portrayal of the black swan you feel the same frustration as Thomas during rehearsals. When Thomas strolls around eyeballing the dancers he commands the respect from the company that he's earned. He also displays his very famous reputation with the girls. Mila Kunis just oozes sexuality and animal instinct. She plays Lily with a care free vibrancy that is the perfect Yin to Nina's Yang. Finally Babara Hershey's performance can give you chills. I was almost reminded of Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest. Hershey wasn't nearly as cruel but the controlling feel is present.

Another great detail that shouldn't be ignored is the music. Normally I don't comment too much on music but in this case it's a very strong supporting character. The orchestral moods blasted throughout this film were overwhelmingly powerful. It triggers the right amount of emotion at just the right time then POW! you're taken somewhere else emotionally.

There is however, one itty bitty thing to pick at with Black Swan. The film does such a great job with misdirection that when it's time to come back to reality you're not as invested in the end. The final scene felt tacked on and rushed. That's a big time shame because up until that point I was all in. As a result the score will suffer. So what is my score you ask? Well here we go.

On the 5 star scale. Black Swan gets 4 stars. With a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

The ending cost it the full house 5 stars. This doesn't change the fact that this is still a tremendous film that deserves all the attention it's getting now and hopefully in March if you catch my drift. Aronofsky is inching closer and closer to my top 5 favorite directors list. If he can do this with ballet, I can't wait to see what he does with the Wolverine sequel. Get ready for some fun true believers.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is The Fighter.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"