There are not many films that leave me totally lost for words when I leave the cinema. Black Swan is without doubt a very classy movie but is it any good?
Natalie Portman plays Nina the aspiring prima ballerina obsessed with getting the lead in her company's new production of Swan Lake. Nina lives with her mother (Barbara Hershey), herself a former ballerina who fuels Nina's passion for ballet in a domineering and controlled manner.
When the current prima ballerina Beth played by ( Winona Ryder) announces her retirement, Nina sets hers sights on taking her role regardless of the consequences.
After the company director Thomas (Vincent Cassel) announces Nina as his first choice, both Nina and her mother are ecstatic.
However, there is a new kid on the block in the shape of the beautiful Lily (Mila Kunis) which means Nina has competition.
The lead role requires the dancer to play both the roles of the white swan and the black swan. Nina is the perfect white swan but Lily is equally perfect as the black swan. Reluctantly, Nina becomes a friend of sorts with the effervescent and social Lily, much to her mothers disgust.
So intent is Nina on emulating her new ally's performance as the black swan and achieving perfection that she becomes totally paranoid and somehwhat schizophrenic with fatal results.
There is no doubt that Portman's performance is incredible and it's the role of a lifetime for her. She portrays the eerie character with such class and intrigue. The always watchable Hershey is excellent as the over protective, if somewhat creepy mother. Cassel and the stunning Kunis provide great support along the way.
The other plus points are the costume design, the music and the direction.
My problem with Black Swan however is that about 70% of the movie makes for very uncomfortable viewing. It's a lot scarier than expected but not in a good way, it's also quite gory. Many parts were stomach churning and some may argue that this was necessary to the storyline. Fair enough, but for me the whole thing was a bit of a mess.
I perceived it as film noir with classy A Lister's being brought to a bigger audience. What the creators ultimately give us, is a darkly confused 70's style horror B movie that leaves a very bad taste in the mouth.
What a shame!
Score: 5/10
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