Black Swan

I watched this film Saturday night and needed a bit of time to process it. I think I want to watch it again, but so many movies to catch up on for the Oscars and a few indulgences along the way means it might be another week or two before I have time.

Black Swan. "I want to be perfect." I loved this movie. It is fraught with tension, and it surprised me at every turn. The trailers for it did a good job at misdirecting the would-be viewers as to what the film is really about. Yes, there is dancer on dancer sabotage, but it really goes deeper than that and is a film about woman on woman sabotage in many forms: friend to friend, mother to daughter, and self. It reminded me a bit of All About Eve, but far more psychologically interesting and, of course, cinematically executed.

Natalie Portman was fantastic, exuding paranoia, innocence, fear, and finally serenity and confidence that comes with the all necessary transcendence she finds in the end. She gave good face! I was shocked by Winona Ryder's appearance in the film; I honestly didn't recognize her at first. Vincent Cassell...mmm. Creepy, but motivational ballet director - brilliant. Mila Kunis was amazing. I have always liked her, but this was such a breakthrough role for her, and she was the perfect guide for Portman's required night journey into the underworld.

The dancing was phenomenal, and I loved the costuming. It truly was a brand new Swan Lake, focusing on the darkest, most seductive and sexual elements of the tale.

Aronofsky has managed to pull off another visually stimulating, slightly freakish piece of art. I was impressed by the camera work, and I especially loved the head shots of Portman walking through Manhattan.

Can't wait to watch it again.