A Reel Review: BLACK SWAN

Darren Aronofsky’s BLACK SWAN is the perfect follow-up to his Oscar-nominated THE WRESTLER from a year ago. Where THE WRESTLER explored the fragility of the human body, BLACK SWAN explores the fragile human mind. Backed by unique direction, great acting and some of the tightest intensity ever put to film, SWAN is possibly Aronofsky’s finest work in the form of a psychological horror trip.

Ballerina Nina (Natalie Portman), having been raised by her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey), struggles to land the lead role in a major ballet directed by Thomas (Vincent Cassell). The role requires Nina to play the part of the White and Black Swan, with the latter requiring raw passion and unleashed emotion that Nina struggles to capture. Nina sort-of befriends rival dancer Lily (Mila Kunis), a party girl who inspires Nina’s darker side to emerge.

SWAN is Nina’s story as she delves into her darker half; a half that she experiences in hallucinations and fantasies. Aronofosky plays with the viewers mind throughout; as he constantly blurs the lines between reality and illusion. The film is a trip through Nina’s mind and psychosis, and not much should be taken literally; but that’s not clear until the very end. This is a mindfuck of a film that is not for the weak-minded.

Aronofsky’s direction and artistic choices match the story perfectly. Clever use of mirrors and shaky-cam add an unnerving feel throughout. There is also an air of tight intensity that may have never been seen on film before. Simple acts such as a bath and clipping fingernails are given a treatment that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. A hotass love scene between Nina and Lily is not only shot and cut beautifully, but makes a splash due to its importance in the grand scheme of things.

Portman really brings it in what is probably her most powerful performance of her career. She goes deep here, and Aronofsky really brings out the best and worst of her. Kunis is perfectly cast as the rebel-without-a-cause party girl, and the show is nearly stolen by Hershey’s performance of psycho-mom.

The finale is an onslaught of even more mindfucking, as the audience will be asking themselves “did that just happen?” leading up to the final moments. BLACK SWAN is loaded with twists and turns ranging from incredible to oh-my-god-cover-your-eyes moments. It is powerful and never dull.

BOTTOM LINE: See it.