Movie Review: The Black Swan

'It's like, 127 hours, -only you're stuck in a ballet full of fragile egos and a single nail file.' - My twitter review of Black Swan in less than 140 characters.   I'm learning to keep my posts short and sweet this week.  Black Swan is an amazing psychological thriller set in New York, the central protagonist is a young ballet dancer, Nina, who finds herself both struggling and revelling in the lead role of Swan Lake.  Nina is an incredibly talented dancer who only sees her flawed self, she must fight the 'dark forces' of her own mentality to 'let herself go' fully, to unleash the passion and intensity within her own mind that embodies the true spirit of the Black Swan.

Natalie Portman plays Nina, and some of you probably know she won an Oscar for this role.  Enough said.   Aside from fighting her own insecurities, we watch Nina's daily battles with her relentless-over-bearing mother, brilliantly played by Barbara Hershey,  * whispers, Barbara gave me the shivers...just plain scary, like, worse than Joan-Crawford-scary. *  Beware though, this film is not everyone's cup of tea either, there is a lesbian-dream-fantasy-sequence, an underlying theme of self-harm, hence the nail file reference above...and of course the voyeuristic parent factor.  Vincent Cassel is superb as the all consuming creative director for the ballet, ahem, I have to mention that I first fell in love with Monsieur Cassel in 'Brotherhood of the Wolves...which was quite wonderful too!  Winona Ryder gives a class performance as the out-going-over-the-hill-ballerina;  Milla Unis is perfect as the ambitious sexy understudy.

If you enjoy a good thriller where you are never too sure which way is up or down, and who is actually telling the truth, -then you may just like Black Swan.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Would I watch it again?  Yes, in fact, even before the credits rolled, I thought - I need to re-watch that, like, now?

Photocredits via weheartit


A/N:  I hope you all have had a lovely week!  It's been good for me on the editing front, and I hope your writing projects are coming along swimmingly.  Plans for the weekend?  Relaxing, an art gallery or two, shopping, lunching, and catching up with old friends.   How about you?

Comments

Liza said…
Thank you for the review. Reading it has me thinking for the first time, that I might want to see Black Swan. Thanks. The weekend for me? Working in the Cheese shop, then Sunday, a day of rest!
Colette Martin said…
Agree! It's an awesome movie. It's a must see just to watch Natalie Portman play the role.
mshatch said…
It's on my netflix list. Thanks for your review; now I can't wait to see it. Maybe I'll move it up.
Meredith said…
I like the movie, but it was so intense that at some points, I wanted to walk out. I don't think I could see it again, but I'm so glad I went!
Carol Kilgore said…
This movie is definitely on my must-see list. Thanks for the review.

Happy Weekend!
Melissa Amateis said…
I'll probably skip this movie...but I'm glad Natalie won an Oscar for it. I've heard nothing but good things about her performance.

Let's see...weekend activities include lots of rest, and checking out our new house!
Talei said…
Liza, working in The Cheese shop? There's a fab Cheesemonger near me, I always stop in for some brie and port! ;-))

Colette, am so glad that Natalie won an Oscar for this role, she definitely worked hard for it!

Ms Hatch, If you like a psychological type thriller, you will enjoy it! ;-)

Meredith, I know, some parts are too intense right? I had to squeeze my eyes closed really hard in some scenes and scream like a girl that I am! ;-)

Carol, Excellent my dear! Have a fab weekend too. x

Melissa M, enjoy your rest and checking new house -tres wonderful! Have a lovely weekend! ;-)
Manzanita said…
Greetings,
I haven't been by your blog in a while. I'm glad you wrote this review. I haven't see the movie...... don't know why. I'm a movie seeker, usually.
Love and peace
Danette said…
I keep hearing good things about this movie so it probably needs to get on my queue!

I've got a lovely long weekend planned with plenty of writing and book browsing to do! (with Borders going under we are going to buy spend some $$ on books/DVDs while they are cheap! hate to take advantage, but...) And of course there will be drinks! Cheers!
Bish Denham said…
It's one I plan to watch, though I don't know if hubby will be interested.
Talei said…
Manzanita, hello! It's been a little while. Some movies stay on my 'to see list' for like, an eternity. This one appealed but it's not everyones cup of tea. Hope you are well! ;-)

Danette, enjoy the Borders sales? I shall have a toast to you this weekend too! Cheers lovely. x

Bish, I'd be interested to see what you think too. Yup, I've heard a few guys who haven't liked it, maybe its one for the ladies. Hope you enjoy it, if you do see. ;-)
Pat Tillett said…
I hadn't seen it yet, but maybe now I will!
thanks!
Mya said…
After shrieking when only seeing the ads on tv I was afraid to see it. When she plucked the feather out of her skin I had enough. Someday I will get my courage up and venture out to rent the film...(when I'm not to chicken - sorry, had to).
Talei said…
Pat, it's a good one! Hope you do get to see it. ;-)

Mya, you're making me laugh here dear. I know, I had to turn away at some of those 'nails, feather, skin' scenes... *shivers* But, I still enjoyed the movie, pluck up the courage..or have someone watch it with you! ;-)

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