Starring Natalie Portman in her Academy Award winning role, Black Swanis a seductive yet haunting film that will leave you breathless. Directed by innovator Darren Aronofsky, this Best Picture nominated film boats a wealth of talent including Portman (Closer) in the performance of her career, as well as Mila Kunis (Date Night), Winony Ryder (Girl, Interrupted) and Vincent Cassel (Ocean's Twelve). Become part of the haunting phenomenon and own Black Swan on Blu-ray or DVD on March 29th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Black Swan follows the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballerina in the New York City Ballet trying to make it to the top. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But a new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), also impresses Leroy and becomes Nina's competition. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly with her innocence and grace, but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan with her fiery personality. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.
My Take:
I had heard about the intensity of this film prior to watching it. What I was not entirely prepared for was the explicit sexual scenes. It is rightfully rated R. Although I do watch a wide array of films on a regular basis, I found this one to be too graphic in the sexual overtones for my taste.
I did find Natalie Portman mesmerizing in her portrayal of the innocent, emotionally stunted Nina. The strain and stress emanated all the way through the tips of her fingers. She was fabulous, and deserved the Oscar she received for this performance.
The other cast members gave great performances as well. Winona Ryder was wonderful in her tortured characters soul. Mila Kunis was the epitome of light and carefree in direct contrast to Portman's character. They both shined.
Vincent Cassel as the director Thomas Leroy was intriguing and the catalyst that all three of the main female characters needed for their outlandish behavior. I could not, however, stop picturing him as the dancing, shimmying thief in Ocean's Twelve.
Had it not been for a number of explicit sexual scenes I would have really enjoyed this movie. Personally I found them to detract from the movie and the same emotional effects could have been obtained with a little more left to the imagination in these specific scenes.
As always, these are just my opinions and take on the movie. Yours can, and probably will be, entirely different!
I received a screener copy of the above movie for the purposes of this review.
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