Captivating. Black Swan was an amazing spectacle by director Darren Aronofsky with help from Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel. This is a real film and brings back the wonderment of the reel that have been missing in cinema for quite some time. It’s not the prettiest display of technology or a brand new idea but an imaginative interpretation of a classic story done over and over through the story, music, and film itself. I predict this movie to be shown in film classes around the world for years to come.
Black Swan is a twisted story about the devotion and obsession of a ballet dancer trying to be perfect. As she gets promoted to be the solo star of her company, her life starts to overlap her part in the show. Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) is cast to be The Swan Queen. However, in Thomas Leroy’s (Vincent Cassel) new rendition, she must play the parts of both the white swan and black swan. Nina Sayers is the embodiment of the white swan…she’s innocent and naive. Lily (Mila Kunis) is the ying to her yang and the embodiment of the black swan…she’s open-minded, free, and can seduce any man. Jealousy, rage, and the simple yearning to want it all gets in the mind of Nina and doesn’t let go. Let go.
Vincent Cassel with Natalie Portman in Black Swan
Similar to Eyes Wide Shut, the simple piano notes and accompanying music plays its own important role in the film. It’s truly astonishing when such simple tones can have such a huge impact on the audience. The music and sounds set up tense moments that will make you squirm in your seat as well as compliments the ballet pieces throughout the film. On that note, let’s highlight the dancing…it’s stunning. I don’t know where America’s obsession of dance came from but this movie brings back the original beauty of ballet and true talent to the big screen. Natalie Portman does an amazing job acting as a professional dancer as well as all of the other back up dancers who glide through the screen.
Mila Kunis is stunning in Black Swan. She can seduce me any day.
The film is shot with a grainy texture and mixes the hand held personal feeling with beautiful wide shots. The direction and cinematography do a great job of pushing the story to its limits and really engaging the audience with the actors on screen. While most movies this day just show you what’s going on…Black Swan makes you feel what’s going on and allows the audience to have an emotional investment in the movie. Aronofsky can get you scared, make you scream, put you on edge, make you smile, disgust you, make you angry, etc with a switch in frame. All of these emotions are played with throughout the progression of Black Swan. The performances transcend the screen and can touch each and every person watching.
Director Darren Aronofsky with his little princess Natalie Portman
Every actor and actress in this movie does an amazing job. My favorite has to be Vincent Cassel followed by Mila Kunis. Vincent plays the role of the visionary genius bringing his production of the Swan Lake alive with this ballet company. He has to make every right decision to make sure the audience will get a show they will never forget (yes, both the audience in the movie and the audience watching the movie). I have to admit, I have a crush on Mila Kunis. Her character in this film is a fun loving, easy going dancer who seems to be a sweetheart. But then she seems to be the devil. This movie has a lot to do with figuring out who one is within themselves and what everybody around them means in their life. The central image is played by Natalie Portman beautifully. You’ll be confusing yourself trying to figure out who she truly is and what she’s going to evolve into…it’s actually really fun and satisfying in the end.
Which swan will Nina see in her reflection?
I have nothing but good words for this film. It’s a return to real quality film making and it’s sad that movies like this are so far apart. It’s also sad that this can’t get a wide release because the general mass audience just won’t get it. I was grinning ear to ear while watching this film but everybody around me in my screening had a dumb look on their face at the end…they just weren’t in to it. If you’re a film fan, you will love this one. If you’re a traditional dancer, you’ll be a fan as well. If you’re looking for Natalie Portman in a blockbuster movie, you’ve picked the wrong horse. I will be telling everyone that they have to see this movie but know only a handful will actually enjoy it.
oh yeah, and Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis have a hot wet lezzie scene. “OMG…was I good!?” – Mila Kunis.
Tags: Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel
Matthew Fong created advancescreenings.com and is the lead contributor. He watches every type of movie and will try almost anything twice. You can follow him on twitter here: @matthewfong
