The other night I headed out in the (very) cold weather to finally see the film Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky (who is also the maker of the cult film Requiem for a Dream.) Black Swan might give a few people the wrong idea when they first hear about it.
One of my friend's recently said "...Yeah, Black Swan's that dance movie. With ballet. That's a chick flick..."
This is very very far from a girly dance film with awfully cheesy romance.
The story unfolds with Nina, an extremely talented but timid dancer of the New York City Ballet. She lives with her exceedingly oppressive mother(Barbara Hersey) who was a former ballet dancer. Nina seems to fit the part of the white swan perfectly, a little too perfectly-and despite her consuming lack of confidence, she gains the lead role.
Upon the arrival of a beautiful fiery dancer,Lily(Mila Kunis), more heat is added to the pressure upon Nina. Problems arise when she realises she must learn to lose herself completely-and very fast-to truly become the Black Swan. The head choreographer, Thomas(Vincent Cassel) begins to harass and critique Nina in a ruthless attempt to mold her into the powerful and seductive role.This psychological horror film is bound to shock, and may make some stomachs churn. Natalie holds firm in her portrayal as the tragic Nina; watch her as she slips into a place of madness, horror, and death. The widely acclaimed Clint Mansell has made a mark with his chilling music that creeps beneath your skin and into your heart.
I found this film powerful and disconcerting.
In a time when most people are grasping for ways they can shape themselves to a perfect ideal, this story is a sharp jab in the gut.
'Perfectionists never get anything done'?
Well in this case they do, but in the process they will lose it all.
Pretty ballet chick flick? I think not.
