After seeing both Requiem For A Dream and The Wrestler, I never thought I'd see something more gruesome or harrowing. Well, The Wrestler isn't that harrowing, but it sure is gruesome. Anyway after seeing Black Swan today, I have.
It is about a ballerina named Nina (Natalie Portman), who is a complete shut-in: She shows no real emotion, and is shut in inside herself. It's really her mother's fault (Barbara Hershey, who is quite good) who not only pushed her, but kept her feeling like a child, never a woman, or her own person) . But eventually, she gets the dual role in Swan Lake and she is extremely happy, but since she show's no emotion, her dancing is all techinque, but no feeling, it's extremely hard for her to dance the Black Swan, something the director constantly points out. Soon, a new dancer arrives, who is exactly the opposite- She's outgoing, funny, and dances with feeling, she is able to let go. Nina is constantly afraid that lily will take the role away from her, and the role itself soons becomes so much stress, she is barely keeping it afloat, and soon a whole series of things start to happen that make the film so unpredictable. This is a fantastic piece of work-superbly directed, it was so surreal, and visionary, it was indeed a fascinating experience. But it is truly disturbing- it's even more then requiem for A dream, and I had to close my eyes more then once. But Natalie Portman really outdid herself here. She perfectly sets up and balances the character, making us really feel her paranoi and her feelings of being preassured. Portman makes us see that she wants to be a star, but doesn't really think she fits the bill. That's why she wants to be ''perfect". Quite a lot of her performance is very subtle and Natalie truly disappears into the part, making it her own. Who else could have played it? No one.
But I have a slight complaint. I felt that that she could have maybe have given a little more strength in some scenes and I felt that could have the change in her character slower, but that's really the script's fault. Which brings me to something else: I felt the movie was a bit too abrupt, and the script could have been more carefully thought out, especially with the director's character. But it was still a great movie anyway, and Natalie Portman is definetly worth seeing...
11 comments:
I envy you Does Natalie deserve to win? Is she better than Annette or does she have more chance with the performance?
I've just seen Rabbit Hole BTW. It's a very good movie. Nicole is really great in it. I think she deserves to be nominated very much. I might even say that she's better than Annette.
I'd say a win woiuld have been very deserving and yes, she's better then Annete, who was just okay to me, but I'm planning on rewatching The Kids Are All Right, just to be sure..
I really want to see Rabbit Hole!
I'm seeing Black Swan soon -- then I'll report back here!
I saw it I thought it was certainly interesting, even though I think the special effects at the end went too far to really be at believable.
Something interesting I noticed was how similar it was to A Double Life with Ronald Colman's Oscar winning performance. Both are about performers who do anything for perfection which causes them to hallucinate and become insanely involved with their characters. They become jealous, and act out in ways they have never before. The ending are remarkably similar with their perfect performances and final demises in the same fashion.
I'm glad you like it! And I'll check out A Double Life if I have time.
I can't wait to see it! I am also incredibly intrigued by Mila Kunis.
Sage: It will be interesting to Mila Kunis show some real, serious acting talent...especially when she plays such a great Meg!
Gosh, I just saw it. I'm saving the review for Thursday, but I am saying right here that Natalie blew me away with her performance. Right now my ranking:
1)Natalie
2)Annette
3)Nicole
Sage: As I've said, it's really good, but don't become burdened with expectations though.
Twister: She's very good, but I thought she was more of a plot device. But still some really good acting from her..
Dinasztie: Glad to hear it! She is fantastic!
I saw Black Swan last night and really loved it, although I was a little confused by the ending. I hope when the DVD comes out there's a director's commentary!
Post a Comment