BrianSez's Review

Summary - Really Great 4.5

A fantastic movie starring Natalie Portman as the all-consumed ballerina Nina who lives with her equally consumed and obsessive mother Erica (Barbara Hershey). Nina is lined up for the top spot for her Ballet company, the Swan queen, but she doesn’t quite live up to the director Thomas’ (Vincent Cassel) expectations. Things get even more interesting when Lily (Mila Kunis) shows up with a little unpredictable competition. This movie does a great job at keeping the suspense and drama high in the world of ballet, which as you learn is incredibly competitive and stressful – and doesn’t exactly bring out the best in the participants. This film really shines when it deep dives in to Nina’s disturbed mind where reality and illusion are mixed. This sometimes causes confusion, but when you start to catch on, it only serves to heighten the thrill of seeing what happens next.

Acting - Really Great 4.5

Natalie Portman is indeed brilliant as Nina. Someone who can portray that level of mental disturbance and still come across as genuine is remarkable. Mila Kunis is pretty darned good as the free-wheeling devil-may-care Lily. Barbara Hershey also shows her star-pedigree as the obsessed mother. Last but not least, Vincent Cassel is very good as the hard-edged and abusive director Thomas.

Film - Really Great 4.5

Crazy and entrancing, Black Swan sucks you in to a maelstrom of psychotic thrill and convinces you of things that aren’t really happening. Completely edge-of-the-seat stuff – and for ballet – that’s quite a feat. You’ll remember the intense drama, eroticism, and unique story line for a long time.

Edge - Sordid 2.6

Reality - Surreal 2.9

2 Comments

• BrianSez May 9, 2011 9:23PM

  Oh yeah – it is a must see.

• Wick May 8, 2011 7:14PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Wow Brian. I’d avoided Black Swan but now see the error of my ways. Just added it to my Gotta ViewList.

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