Black Swan

Finally, I was able to go see Black Swan (2010)! The film is about a ballet dancer, Nina (Natalie Portman), whose life is completely consumed by dance. When she learns that her artistic dance director Thomas Leroy is planning to replace his prima ballerina Beth (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of Swan Lake, Nina becomes obsessed about getting the part. Eventually, she wins the role, but is having a difficult time emulating both the White Swan and the Black Swan. She is perfect as the White Swan, representing gracefulness and purity, but she lacks the sensuality and seduction of the Black Swan. The lead requires her to play both parts brilliantly, so she becomes obsessed with perfecting both. This obsession gradually causes her to lose her mind as she becomes possessed by the dark side of the Black Swan.

This film is an extremely twisted psychological thriller. I haven't decided if it is a horror film or not, but I can understand why some people may classify it that way. It's disturbing, uncomfortable, and dark, yet there is also a dramatic beauty to it. I don't know how to explain how this happens. I think it's due to the constant contrasting between good and evil throughout the entire film. Darren Aronofsky is a brilliant director. The acting done by basically everyone in the film is amazing. The score is fantastic, as is the cinematography and the editing. All in all, this film is extremely well done.