Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan is a frightening, twisted, disturbing psychological thriller. I absolutely loved it! The story centers around ballerina Nina, who really wants to land the lead in a production of Swan Lake, which traditionally requires a dancer to dance the parts of both the White Swan and the Black Swan. A technically precise dancer, Nina can dance the part of the White Swan, but the company director isn't convinced she has it in her to tackle the role of the Black Swan.
Natalie Portman plays Nina, a role which very well may win her an Oscar. Her performance is a tour de force - she portrays Nina's transformation from troubled and timid to seriously unhinged so convincingly that we forget we are watching someone act. Portman is in virtually every frame of the film, but one can't ignore her co-stars. Barbara Hershey is superb as Nina's mother, slightly disturbed and more than happy to treat her grown daughter like a little girl (I have my fingers crossed that Oscar voters don't overlook this intense performance). Mila Kunis is terrific as a rival ballerina (she earned a Golden Globe and Screen Actor Guild nomination for the role), Vincent Cassel is a perfect creep as the company's director, and Winona Ryder plays a bitchy ballerina being forced into retirement with a fire we haven't seen from her in some time.
Besides the amazing acting and exquisite directing, Black Swan is filled with things I could rave on and on about. The dark cinematography, Clint Mansell's wonderful score, the editing, sound, makeup, costumes, etc. This is certainly one of the best films of 2010.
OSCAR WINS:
- Best Actress (Natalie Portman)
OSCAR NOMINATIONS:
- Best Picture
- Best Director (Darren Aronofsky)
- Best Film Editing
- Best Cinematography
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