An all-absorbing journey into the deepest and darkest corners of a troubled young woman’s mind: Natalie Portman is on Oscar-winning form as the prima-ballerina whose lead role in ‘Swan Lake’ is threatened by new girl Mina Kunis.
What’s It All About?
‘Black Swan’ follows the beautiful and talented Nina Sayers (Portman) a tortured young woman who is striving to be the best in the competitive world of professional ballet. The New York City Ballet holds auditions for a new female lead in ‘Swan Lake’ as the current Prima Ballerina is involuntarily hoisted out. Beth, aptly played by Winnona Ryder, is a fading star of years gone by now she is hitting her mid-thirties and the company needs a new face. As tradition states, the new Prima Ballerina must not only play the role of the pure, innocent White Swan, but also dance as the more dark, dynamic, and sexy Black Swan. Ruthless and manipulative director Thomas (Vincent Castell) says that Nina is the perfect White Swan but does not have the vigour to dance as the Black Swan. But Nina is a perfectionist, driven by both her own self-punishment and her pushy mother (Barbara Hershey) and is given the chance to play this role of a lifetime. As she struggles with the pressure both physically and mentally, Lily (Mila Kunis) a confident and passionate new rival dancer joins the Company. Nina becomes convinced that Lily is trying to undermine her and steal her precious role. But don’t be fooled, this film is not all about tutus and pirouettes; the ballet world serves as the backdrop for Nina’s decent into madness as a deeply disturbed woman. Whilst it becomes apparent that Nina’s very existence is a struggle, the film itself is the exact opposite; a dynamic and moving film full of a woman’s angst in a paranoid, lonely existence where she continually punishes herself physically and mentally.
Worth a watch?
This truly gripping film takes you on an emotional rollercoaster journey as though you were sitting right next to Nina. Natalie Portman won just about every ‘Best Actress’ award going this year, and it’s easy to see why. She plays the character with great conviction and really makes you feel for her. Physically involved as well as emotionally, Portman trained almost solidly for a whole year before shooting: five hours of dancing seven days a week as well as intense swimming sessions to get a dancer’s physique. She really did put her heart and soul into this film and is fascinating to watch. Oh and you must have heard about the infamous romp between the two lead females; very steamy! Also, keep a look out for all the great imagery Arronofsky slips in; the film is drenched in it! Bet you can’t even count the amount of times mirrors are used, there’s one in almost every shot!
Let Down?
Some may call it pretentious, but the film is a brilliant and artistic insight into professional struggles and female mental disturbance. A word of warning to the feint hearted of you out there (without giving too much away) that it is actually quite gory in places! Yes, not what would you would expect from a film about ballerinas.
So overall…
It’s slick and sexy as well as horrifying in parts but overall, completely compelling to watch. Darren Arronofsky delivers one the best dramas of the year with Natalie Portman certainly delivering the best female performance of the year in a film that is most certainly worth watching.
9/10
