FILM: Black Swan

Black Swan starring: Natalie Portman.

WARNING: This film is rated MA15+
It has has: Explicit Sex Scenes, Images of Self-Harm and Psychological Themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

***

All Nina Sayers wanted was a chance to show the world that she was the next prima ballerina, but she's all techniques and no heart when she dances. But, she is given the chance to prove everyone wrong - the lead in the dual role in the famous ballet, Swan Lake.

Thrilled with the opportunity, Nina has always been the perfect choice for Odette (the White Swan), but in her endeavour to be the perfect dancer, she is ironically ill-equipped to dance the part of Odile (the Black Swan).

In order to prove her director, Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel), that she is capable of playing both roles, Nina must experience what it means to inhabit the role. But in her path the of character-discovery, competition (Mila Kunis) becomes fierce and suddenly everything she's worked for and everything she was, crumbles. If there was a ever a moment in her life where she felt like Odette, it's in the moment where she fights her inner Odile.

***

The Story

I was bewildered by this psychological thriller. Putting my Christian beliefs to the foreground, I will talk about the story by momentarily ignoring the sexual scenes and themes. The story as plain to see is very simple: a talented girl with a dream is given the opportunity to live out that dream, but in doing so, makes personal sacrifices and mistakes that are impossible to take back. Simply stated, it's your typical tragedy. The added element of psychological unrest only adds the thrilling aspect of Nina's pursuit towards perfection. In a psychotic mindset EVERYONE is the competition, everyone is out to get you and in a world where opportunities come and go, the pressure is twice as much, hence even the competition being the person in the mirror.

Overall writers, Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin and especially Andres Heinz should be pleased with the overall story.

Cast

Mary Vernieu did a brilliant job in terms of casting. Natalie Portman was a brilliant choice, she delivered a believable portrayal of a tortured soul. Kudos to her excellent ballet work (yes, guys she trained for a year to get those feet moving!) and her amazing duality when it came for her characters to play both swans. Mila Kunis should not be left unmentioned due to her excellent work in supporting and playing the devious character, Lily. She did well in playing the complete opposite, and therefore the better choice for Odile - not to mention the fact the she was able to portray a character that really got into Nina's head. Vincent Cassel was a brilliant supporting actor too. His ability to place onto the screen what it means to have a relationship that is completely professional and yet at the same time completely sensual was a brilliant and stomach turning (which I think is the point). But you can't go past the small supporting roles of Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder. Hershey playing the role of Erica, Nina's mother, was both believable and irritatingly accurate of a concern mother for her daughter. Ryder portrays a washed up prima ballerina that plays a big role in teasing Nina's mental breakdown.

Cinematography and Music

The camera angles and transitions within this film is absolutely brilliant. They aided Nina's mental creations when her mind slowly destroys her identity of being her mother's, "Sweet girl." Obviously in this film the music is everything, not just which songs are chosen to define the swans, but also the moments which Nina is both just Nina or Odile-Nina. The camera work, editing and music all complemented each other well and made this film a wonderful thrill.

***

Nevertheless...

I was horrified by the idea that in order for her to inhabit the role of Odile she had to morally and physically defile herself. Keeping in mind that this is a MA15+ film, I still stand by the fact that Nina didn't need to seduce herself in her imaginations in order to fulfill a role that is not as dark as one would have you believe. Although, I do understand that this movie is called Black Swan - obviously meaning that Nina is consumed by her inner Odile (which is beautifully displayed in the scene where she is seemingly fighting with Lily, only to find out that she is only fighting with herself), I believe that in the world of art, it must be remembered that even though there is a fine line between artistic and graphic if there is a need for the two world to ever combine, people are not paying for porn! They're paying for quality and excellence. Which this movie had, if it did not allow it's own Odile consume it's storyline.

sL Star Rating: 5 stars for the basic story-line and 2.5 stars for the overall film.

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