Director: Darren Aronofsky
Staring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel and Mila Kunis
‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Natalie Portman. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Portman has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s dedicated ballet dancers, fashion designers or renowned political figures, Portman has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Portman’s finest strength as an actress has been her powerful commitment. She is one of those one of a kind actresses that has often poured her heart and soul into every role. Portman has seldom been afraid taking risks in her career by portraying complex characters that aren’t often likeable. Through her capabilities to create characters that audiences can easily relate to, Portman has become a beloved actress that audiences value. An actress with strong commitment to her craft, Portman has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout her strong character, the actress has created many bold movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Portman and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Black Swan” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2010, Darren Aronofsky’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about ballet. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Natalie Portman, who plays a ballet dancer that’s driven towards the brink of insanity. Ultimately, what makes “Black Swan” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about ballet, it tackles powerful themes that everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about ballet dancers which are frightening, there are several strong reasons why “Black Swan” is a great movie which is worth watching.
Set in New York City, “Black Swan” tells a story of a ballet dancer that’s driven towards a brink of insanity. Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers, a dedicated ballet dancer with a dream to be a successful ballerina. Nina has always had love for ballet being a profession which she pursues with a passion. Nina’s dreams come true when she is selected by her artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) to take part in the Swan Lake competition. However, Nina’s life changes when she discovers consequences of being a ballet dancer. Under intense pressure, Nina is faced with competitive rivals which threaten to destroy her dreams of becoming a dancer. Lily (Mila Kunis) is an attractive woman with knack for ballet posing a threat for Nina in every way. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Nina begins to wonder whether she will ever be able to accomplish her dreams of becoming a ballet dancer.
Darren Aronofsky is fascinated with the theme of obsession. A fantastic filmmaker, Aronofsky has often excelled at making movies about the lives of artists under intense pressure. His film “Requiem for a Dream” captures the struggles faced by drug addicts struggling to achieve a dream. With “Black Swan”, however, Aronofsky made his first ballet drama. It was Aronofsky’s first attempt to capture the struggles faced by ballet dancers that experience catastrophe but he succeeded immensely. Using spellbinding cinematography, Aronofsky captures tensions that ballet dancers are facing. Aronofsky uses handheld camera to capture the tension that women seeking to become ballerina are often facing. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the dance rehearsal scene. During this unforgettable scene, Nina engages in an intense ballet competition showing her skills as a dancer. One appreciates handheld cameras capturing the tensions that ballet dancers are facing. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Michael Mann’s “Heat” did suggest clearly, handheld cinematography is suited to commemorated crime movies about bank robberies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Aronofsky captures the tensions that commemorated ballet dancers in frightening professions are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Black Swan” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Aronofsky effectively uses production design to capture ballet dances whose lives decline. Throughout the movie, Aronofsky effectively uses production to capture the lives of battle dancers facing tension. For instance, the production design of the ballet ballroom elevates the final ballerina competition scene. During this unforgettable scene, Nina engages in a tense ballet session involving tension. Through strong production, Aronofsky creates ballet dancers audiences can easily relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Clint Mansell’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burden that ballet dancers bear. Through powerful production design, Aronofsky captures lives of ballet dancers that experience a frightening decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Black Swan” is a movie about ballet that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses unreliable narration to capture ballet dancers that endure tension. Throughout the movie, Nina has trouble on telling the difference between dreams and reality. Inspired with Christopher Nolan’s “Inception”, Aronofsky employs unreliable narration to capture lives of ballet dancers facing tension. For instance, the unreliable narration enhances the mutilation scene. During this memorable scene, Nina faces tensions experiencing a hallucination of mutilation. One appreciates the unreliable narration capturing the lives of ballerinas facing tension. Unreliable narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” suggested, unreliable narration elevates commemorated movies about loss of memory. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Aronofsky captures tensions of commemorated ballet dancers facing a price to pay.
One appreciate amazing performances.
Natalie Portman delivers one of her finest career performances as Nina. Portman achieved recognition playing heroines in science fiction blockbusters. With “Black Swan”, however, she took upon her most challenging role. It isn’t easy to portray a competitive ballet dancer that face tragedy, but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Portman has always excelled at playing emotional woman facing tension, and “Black Swan” showcases her strengths as an actress. With riveting expressions, Portman captures the grief, depression and trauma of a woman facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best actresses working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Natalie Portman, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of attention. Mila Kunis is magnificent, capturing trauma of a ballerina seeking success in a profession that causes a dilemma. Vincent Cassel is riveting, capturing painful obstacles faced by a ballet manager seeking control in a profession that is stressful. Lastly, Winona Ryder merits praise. As a jealous ballerina, she brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Black Swan” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing ballet dancers facing tension. Unlike most movies about ballet, the film tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including grief, identity and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the world of ballet to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about the danger of obsession which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Black Swan” is one of those rare movies about ballet everyone will adore.
Fans of Natalie Portman will appreciate “Black Swan” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating ballet classic, it honours an actress that has built a career which is iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about ballet dancers seeking success in a tense competition with a painful price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has gained a massive fan following earning recognition for her abilities to portray compelling characters with strong personalities manufacturing unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 