BLACK SWAN review by John Delia

“A DARK DANCE”

Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, Barbara Hershey, and Vincent Cassel

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use

Genre: Drama and Thriller

Running Time: 1 hr 43 min

Distributed by: Fox Searchlight Pictures

By John Delia

Darren Aronofsky turns up the heat with his newest thriller Black Swan.  This deep psychological drama makes you a witness to an obsessive out-of-body experience that terrifies and even made me cringe.  If you like films that develop characters slowly, have excellent direction and a story that challenges your mind, then Black Swan is a must see.

Black Swan follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance.  She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition.  When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, “Swan Lake,” Nina is his first choice.  But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well.  Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality.  Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

Portman’s excellent performance revels with impeccable delight.  Consumed in her role as Nina she moves within the drama as a consummate ballerina, tip toeing through one dark situation then another.  As the film slowly peals away the skin of its theme her reveal becomes noticeable one plié at a time.

Aronofsky directs Black Swan methodically spooning out bits and pieces to the audience as if he were teasing.  As he builds up suspense the characters become more dark and tantalizing till the thrilling ending.  Aronofsky’s (The Wrestler) ability to control his actors in order get amazing performances out of them is admirable.  Here he takes Portman and Kunis and transforms them into frightening competitors exposing their dark sides and weaknesses.

Black Swan is rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  Certainly a front-runner for Oscar accolades. (5 of 5)