Black Swan (2010)

Black Swan (2010)
Studio: Cross Creek Pictures and Phoenix Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: December 3, 2010
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Rated R
by James Klein

Director Darren Aronofsky follows up his masterpiece The Wrestler with a twisted psychological thriller that is similar and yet different than The Wrestler. Both films touch upon a certain sport (from wrestling to ballet) that shows us the gritty dark side of that activity but where The Wrestler was a touching human drama, Black Swan tackles us on a more darker path on a young woman's obsession to being perfect.

I don't know what it is about Aronofsky but he can get some of the best performances out of his actors. Natalie Portman stars and she gives arguably her best and bravest performance as ballerina Nina. Innocent Nina lives with her overbearing and bizarre mother in NYC where all Nina thinks about is ballet. She is trying out for a role in Swan Lake where Beth (Winona Ryder) has been the lead for a long time. Now it seems her time is up and Nina luckily lands the lead but when a new performer named Lily comes into the cast and disrupts her life, Nina begins to crack.

Aronofsky's film touches on many themes such as sex, perfection, loneliness, obsession and the character of Nina struggles with all of these themes. Shot all hand held, the film starts off a bit unbalanced to begin with and as the film goes along, it becomes more chaotic as Nina's life begins to crumble. I couldn't help but think this reminded me of early Brian DePalma with touches of Polanski thrown in for measure. And if you are a fan of either of those director's or Aronofsky himself, you will enjoy Black  Swan.

The film isn't for everyone as it doesn't explain everything in a neat little package but when a film gives you the opportunity to come up with your own interpretations, that just makes it all the more better. Black Swan is definately worth a look.