THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, DARREN ARONOFSKY!!!

FINALLY!!!

The first film this year that is actually as awesome as it looks. 2010 has been the worst year in film I can remember and although Black Swan can't make up for a whole year's worth of mediocrity, it can at least make up for some of the disappointments.

Where to begin? I suppose the best place would be Natalie Portman. The best performance this year by far. One of those rare roles that near makes the film, much like Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood. As Nina Sayers, a ballerina desperate for perfection, Portman seems so fragile, she could snap at any moment. The people and situations around her certainly don't help but if she weren't who she was, it wouldn't be as bad. Right from the start, you can feel her pain and it only gets worse.

Speaking of pain, this film's got lots. It's one of the most cold, grating and uncomfortable films to border on mainstream in years. You won't find the warmth of the Wrestler here. This is a deep, penetrating dive into the abyss. Straight darkness and insanity all the way through.

That said, the film does have a lot of similarities to the Wrestler. The loose camera work, the detailed minutia and behind the scenes of a demanding sport (if you can call a ballet a sport - once you see the closeups of Portman balanced on her toes, you might consider it)... but most of all, that visceral feel. Those cringeworthy moments. If you don't like damage to fingernails and cuticles, steer clear. I thought the worst were the shots of ballerinas warming up; I can't believe there's dancers who do this every day!

But the film's really got more in common with Requiem for a Dream than anything. No matter how beautiful the film looks, the feeling is always grim. So how does Black Swan stand up to that one? Well, quite frankly... it's just as good. I think to say it's better would be a stretch but really. It's fantastic.

But there's plenty new here as well, of course. Most notably horror elements. They're actually quite prominent and become more so throughout. So anyone who's been hoping Aronofsky would make a horror movie, well... this is probably it. That said, I actually thought these were the weakest elements of the film. They were rather conventional. Certainly wouldn't be out of place in a Ring or Dark Water. But they are very effective. I just thought the drama and character elements were the film's most potent assets.

So forget Inception. Even if you liked it. I liked it. See 127 Hours later. Did you hear True Grit is PG-13? Yeah...

See Black Swan. If you don't, do yourself a favor and quit watching movies. This is one that'll get under your skin, stay there and rot. You won't forget it.

Only skimmed your review, James but gathered enough to know you dug it which is great cos I've been hoping this would redeem a very poor year. Really looking forward to it now...

Is it Requiem grim?

I can't watch another film like Requiem, no matter how good it is.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Is it Requiem grim? I can't watch another film like Requiem, no matter how good it is.

Ha ha, I felt cleansed after that film, an effective cautionary tale if ever there was one.

One of my favourite films of the last decade in fact.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Is it Requiem grim? I can't watch another film like Requiem, no matter how good it is.

I hated Requiem the first time I saw it. After finishing it, I felt ill and resentful. Almost hurt. I thought about it all day and for the days to come. Granted I was 15 or so but that's how I felt. My feelings have since changed; I think the film's really excellent.

At 24, I came out of Black Swan feeling completely overwhelmed but it the best way possible. One of those films where everyone's quiet at the theater when the credits roll, amazed that anyone could create something like that. Not like they want to go home and kill themselves.

So I would say no. I think the grimness is much more internalized in Black Swan. It's much more psychological and the story revolves around the character, not the gutter world the characters of Requiem find themselves in. The horror elements are overtly not real and the use of the original Tchaikovsky soundtrack give it an operatic quality that it wouldn't have otherwise. Not to say it's light or hokey but definitely more fantastical and I definitely wouldn't say it's as... aggressive as Requiem was.

So I'd say you're good to go. I just meant to say that having seen all of Aronofsky's films, I was reminded of Requiem the most.

Requiem was an incredibly powerful piece of filmmaking, but it was traumatic to watch. Far too close to the bone.

I'll give this a go at some point if it's not quite so horrific.

oscar worthy eh?

I'll just say outright that I think this is Aronofsky's best film, and certainly the best I've seen of this year.

Portman, Cassel, and Hershey are brilliant; Mila Kunis was the most inspired casting I've seen in a long time.  The film is grim, painful, and intensely visceral.  The ballet -- and I don't like ballet -- is so beautifully shot it defies description.

There were moments of horror that didn't work for me and took me out of the film, partly due to some dodgy CG, but this is a small gripe in the face of what the film achieves overall.

If you're looking for a nice vicious slam right in the guts, this is the film for you.  I'd say more, but I think James covered it -- just wanted to add my recommendation.

Quoted from Heretic Portman, Cassel, and Hershey are brilliant; Mila Kunis was the most inspired casting I've seen in a long time.

Seconded. Over the past year or so, I've learned there's a distinct difference between great acting and great casting. Portman, Cassel and Hershey are all great actors. Kunis isn't a bad actress though she's certainly a lesser one compared to her co-stars but she's perfect for the part she plays. Her strength and confidence is a formidable force against Portman's vulnerability.

That said, all four are perfectly cast.

My biggest complaint about Aronofsky's past effort is inconsistency.
I felt much of his work, albeit powerful, was underminded by a strong narrative.

And now, twice in a row, he's really pulled it off with sterling.
I watched Black Swan today and what a meteor of a picture.
I was riveted from the get go and was never board for a moment.
All the scares and jolts had nothing to do with spiked music, all genuine.
I was never confused for a moment by anything I saw in the film.
Despite its complexity, its an easy film to understand, hence its success.
By no means is it simple, but its very easy to grasp the concept and feel the effects.
Of course there are many more layers, but you don't have to dig to get into it.
And that's why this film will have some broad appeal.

I wonder if Aronofsky can now save the X-Men franchise?

E.D.

Not sure about 2010 being a bad year for film - overall output? Maybe. However, there is a strong body of work to rival that of any other year. 'Black Swan' is one such film. I recall stating that I felt last year was poor and was met with condescension from Rick, so I send that message to you guys... watch more films. 'Cos that must be the reason you don't like this year in film. Or not.

Truly mesmerising piece of art. Nina's straddling of sanity and the rampant paranoia that plagues her was a sight to behold. Portman is sensational and stole the show. Of course, there were other performances to elevate this film but Portman's deserves unique praise.

This film enjoyed pulling your emotions and perceptions all over the place. It was completely intoxicating and one that I need to digest more fully before being able to articulate my feelings as it will certainly stay with me.

This is simply a film you must watch if you are serious about a career in filmmaking. You may hate it, you may love it, but watch it you must.

YES.  Finally a new film that I like!!  Caught Black Swan finally, two weeks ago.  

Very, very good.  

A streamlined tale - not too many characters.  

And not wholly original - after all, how many films are there out there about people slowly going mad, blurring the line between fantasy and reality?  Hell, two of my favorite films of all time (in general, not just in the genre of horror) are based on that very theme - The Shining, and Jacob's Ladder.

But Black Swan just did it very, very well.  Classy, tight story telling.  Good psychological horror.  And the visuals were equal to that task, too.  The pictures in the mother's room were beautifully done.  (Just to mention one example.)

Kudos to this film!  (And from what I hear, Portman actually had to fight to get this one made...)

And yes - this *is* a film that'll get under your skin and rot.  Now I want to see Requiem!!

One of the greatest films ever made in my opinion.

So dark that I almost couldn't watch at times, but thankfully it never went the route I thought it was going.

Probably the first film I've seen since I was born that I'd call a masterpiece.


BTW did anyone else pick up on the weird Monarch programming symbolism that was going on?

This is what I mean:

http://vigilantcitizen.com/mov.....ge-on-show-business/

I absolutely loved this masterpiece. To me, it was like being at the theatre. Perhaps for me, I have a love and sensibility more for live performances on stage and maybe it has something to do with that, I don't know.

What I feel drives this piece are the emotions and characters. I would bet that much of this was written from truth in a person's own life and then embellished.

I can't speak highly enough for this film.

Sandra

It was hot!


Phil