Movie Stats:
Released 2010 (Italy)
American, in English (minor non-translated French & Italian)
Director - Darren Aronofsky
Stars - Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel
Plot Summary:
After winning the lead in “Swan Lake,” ballerina Nina Sayers (Portman) slowly descends into madness. Kunis co-stars as Lily, a new ballerina in Nina’s troupe, and Cassel as Thomas Leroy, the director of Nina’s troupe.
Warnings:
Lots of sexy times; sexual assault (non-consensual kissing); violence; extreme gore; heavy blue language; non-consensual drug use (ecstasy, maybe?).
Bad Stuff:
I find it incredibly dull. Here this woman is, losing her mind, and it’s like watching paint dry.
None of the characters are compelling or particularly likable. I think I’m supposed to have sympathy for Nina but I don’t. Her character is too cold to be relatable.
The gore is too much.
Good Stuff:
It does a great job with atmosphere. The way shots are composed, the lighting, etc., give it a pervasive sense of doom throughout.
Good acting. Special shoutout to Barbara Hershey as Nina’s mother, Erica.
Loved the costuming.
About the Performance:
I’m sitting here thinking about how annoying I find Nina. She’s meek and simpering and childish and I got really, really sick of listening to her shaky breath. “The only time I found this performance believable,” I thought to myself, “is when she ‘becomes’ the black swan.” Then I realized that was the point, that Nina spends the whole film transforming. So actually, Portman’s performance is very good, and she probably deserved the Oscar that she won. I’ve always liked her. Yes, she’s had some stinker performances (I’m looking at you, Star Wars prequels) but I suppose we’ve all had a bad day at the office now and then.
Other performances of Portman’s I’ve reviewed: none.
The Verdict:
I just don’t like this film. I saw it when it came out, when everyone was raving about what a masterpiece it is. I didn’t care for it then. I decided to give it a second shot because sometimes movies don’t hit you the way they could or should. I thought a repeat viewing might help me to feel differently. It didn’t. I still think this movie is boring as all get out. I don’t connect with Nina, or any of the other characters, for that matter. Plus, I find the extensive gore really disgusting. What this film has going for it the most are the acting and the atmosphere. I don’t think it’s terrible, but it’s definitely not my cup of tea.
I give it 3 stars.
2 comments:
I was going to see this film. But then they released a trailer with a whole thing with skin sprouting feathers or some such thing. As I have skin problems, this weirded me out and kept me away from this movie.
I noticed that this was Aronofsky and I checked to see if I had seen any of his films. Answer: one. Requiem for a Dream, which I found to be expertly made, and also a one-time view for me due to how explicit everything was. That movie is rough.
Thus, I have managed to miss every other movie he has made. I don't think I will add this one to the list.
I do like Natalie Portman, though. I have ever since the mostly forgettable film "Beautiful Girls." I probably would have watched "Jackie" for this project. I still need to see that.
I've loved Natalie Portman ever since "The Professional," which is why I'm willing to forgive her Star Wars sins. I also loved her in "Beautiful Girls," which I agree is otherwise largely forgettable. For some reason, I just don't connect with Jackie Kennedy, so I can't say that I'm particularly interested in seeing any movies about her. I bet Portman was great, though! She looked great.
The way I've heard people talk about Requiem for a Dream, I know I'll never see that film. In fact, Black Swan is the only film of Aronofsky's I've seen. His stuff typically doesn't appeal to me.
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