BLACK SWAN (REVIEW)
Rated
MA - 108 mins
Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, Toby Hemingway, Vincent
Cassell, Barbara Hershey
Usually an art form of grand gesture,
if your idea of ballet is full of sugar plum fairies and pink tutus, 'Black Swan'
will definitely change all that.
In her recent Golden Globe
winning role, the fearless Natalie Portman plays Nina, a dancer in New York who
has just been awarded the coveted lead role in a jazzed up production of Swan
Lake. Living with her mother in a cell-like apartment, a former performer herself,
she has watched Nina progress to the elite level, but something seems wrong. A
life consumed by dance, the graceful white swan that Nina has been selected to
portray is traditionally delicate, however, her professional drive slowly turns
into madness. Losing her mind, the fine line of reality and dream like trance,
merges closer together as Nina begins to turn into the evil twin sister black
swan.
Meanwhile, all around her at the New York company, ruled
by Thomas, a director with cold eyes, a walking ego known for his affairs with
the understudies, tension mounts. A new dancer arrives from the west coast. Lily
(Mila Kunis) is bold, confident and loose and ruffles some feathers - pun intended.
Nina may be quietly descending into insanity, but latches onto Lily in more ways
than one with Thomas never too far away himself.
A career
resurgence well underway after her roles in the latest 'Star Trek' and 'The Dilemma',
Winona Ryder almost outshines everyone as a former leading ballerina considered
past her prime at thirty-something. More than just artistic jealousy, she has
a double impact on proceedings that will not soon be forgotten. Relationships
are strained under normal circumstances due to the company's rigorous perfectionism,
but things spiral insincere as Nina gets further disturbed by the day.
Unhinged
camera angles and mirror images translate what could be going on in Nina's mind,
but you're never really sure. Be warned, constantly pushing the envelope mutilation
and erotica become extreme, but never unwatchable. Natalie Portman is truly exceptional.
Nice to see impressive veteran Barbara Hershey on the big screen also as the peculiar
mum.
Black Swan is bound to divide the audience. Disturbing
for some, a masterpiece to others, the risk taking comes off spectacularly and
over the top, just like the ballet routines themselves.
Shane
A. Bassett
