If you told me a few months ago that I’d actually go out of my way to watch a movie about BALLET, I would have told you to give your head a shake and call you an idiot but all the Oscar buzz grabbed me by the throat and I made a point to see this movie.
Black Swan is the story of a Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a professional ballerina in the New York Ballet Company who like all professional dancers obsesses about perfection and to be the lead role in a large production. When she lands the lead in Swan Lake, she begins to obsess more about holding onto her part because of another girl who possesses the qualities of the Black Swan opposite Nina who is more the White Swan.
Darren Aronofsky seamlessly blends the best aspects of The Wrestler with Requiem for a Dream. On one hand he tells the story of an oppressed little girl whose never had any life experience due in part to her suffocating mother (an ex ballerina) and the constant need to please everyone around her and become “Perfect”. On the flip side, he takes Nina through a dizzying and scary journey mentally as she struggles to find the balance between the white swan with the black one in her every day life.
Natalie Portman is one of those beautiful actresses that surprise you with their range of ability. She exudes innocence when needed and sexuality at will. She was simply amazing in this movie and surely a shoe in for the Academy award. Mila Kunis was also quite good despite what I felt was a small amount of screen time. Gone is the visage of seeing her as Jackie on That 70s show as this role is surely to take her places beyond. The chemistry between Kunis and Portman was incredible – I’d like to see these gals in other movies together. And for the record, there is one EXTREMELY HOT scene about half way through.
Great movie that deserves all the praise it’s getting. My vote is for Natalie Portman.
Check it out!
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