8/01/2013

Black Swan (2010)


This Is Not a Dance Movie




Yes, Black Swan is set on a ballet background. Yes, the plot revolves around the upcoming season of the NYC ballet. But dance is not the central topic of this film. This Darren Aronofsky picture focuses on rivalry and the danger of pushing yourself too hard. Black Swan underscores the role of a challenging environment on mental issues. And what is more challenging than being the prima ballerina of a dance company with an international reputation? To say that the professional ballet world is cruel and that the dancers have a fearless sense of competition would be understating the truth. I find the accuracy of this universe to be brilliantly depicted by the writers. Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) is casting the perfect soloist to dance both the white and the black swans for his new adaptation of Swan Lake. In Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) he finds the perfect white swan. Lily (Mila Kunis), a new dancer in the company, will help Nina's liberated personality emerge. The way the cinematography is handled is a sublime illustration of what's going on in Nina's mind. It isn't a black and white picture but black and white are the main colors on screen. A few touches of pale pink surrounds Nina when she is in an innocent frame of mind. But when her darkest side rises, the colors get more brutal and intense. I really think the colors of this movie are important to the storyline and act as actual characters. Natalie Portman has been an excellent actress since she started at the age of 12. Black Swan confirms it again and allows her to win the Best Actress Academy Award for this demanding role. She plays the two opposite ends of the emotional spectrum with a dexterity that leaves me stunned. Mila Kunis, her counterpart, is a sexy badass ballerina who seduces Nina's hidden evil side and helps it take over her childlike innocence. The fall of the former star of the company (Winona Ryder) and the complex and disturbing relationship between Nina and her mother (Barbara Hershey) are main pieces of this psychological thriller puzzle. Black Swan is a bundle of amazing techniques covering all of the aspects of filmmaking.

1 reason to watch: you thought it would be swell if your daughter started ballet? Think again.



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