You know, it's funny.  

Would love to read the script, because I'm willing to bet that most people - if they read the script cold without having the benefit of having seen the film - would claim that it's too slow moving...and that "more action is needed!"

For the past couple months now, I've had people (close friends) raving at me to check out 'Black Swan'.  That the movie was made explicitly for me and it'll be my favorite movie ever.  They said it's a heavy drama.  They said it's dark.  It's edgy.  It's smart.  It's psycho-sexual.  (Their words.  Not mine.)  But they said everything about this movie is right up my alley.

After hearing all that, and now finally seeing it a couple days ago, I'm wondering if it was just built up too much and that's why I didn't get the enjoyment that I should've out of the movie.

It was dark, which is how I like my movies.  It was very dramatic, which I loved.  It is edgy.  I guess it's psycho-sexual, since there were some creepy erotic parts in it that I did like.

The acting was outstanding.  Portman was awesome and Cassel (who I'm not very familiar with in the first place) got my attention with how he played his part.

But one thing that I really can't say about it is that it's smart.  I think it was smart how Aronofsky melded the ballet and the story together while filming it, but I can't really agree that the writing of the story was smart, because for some reason, (that I'm not too sure I can articulate very well right now), it felt kind of like a cheat.

I understood what was going on and everything, it's just seeing the shard of glass go into Mila Kunis, then showing Natalie Portman laying on the broken mirror, then drag herself into the shower, then showing the blood puddle up underneath the shower door and Natalie soaking it up and then all of a sudden gone again...  It's just the ending was too uneven for me to buy into everything 100%.  And everything with the mirrors, as beautifully shot and as haunting as they were, just felt too much like a gimmick for a cheesy horror film to me.  Let me rephrase that.  Everything with the mirrors I loved until towards the end, when the mirror ended up serving as more of a horror gimmick than anything.

And it's a shame, because the movie was beautifully shot, too.  It's just at the end, it sort of just fell apart to me and didn't remain consistent, I think.

I liked the movie.  I liked the movie a lot.  But it's not even close to being my new favorite or anything.  Actually, I never wrote a list for my top 50 movies ever, but I don't even know if it would crack that list.

It was still good and I don't feel I wasted my time watching it because there are a lot of positives going for it, it's just the ending knocked it down a couple notches for me.

- Mark

nothing will ever be as disturbing as Martyrs or Reqrium...

Black Swan does have its moments though

Finally saw it last night for the upcoming Script Club.

As usual, I'm going to go against the masses here and say I did not like the film at all.

It was incredibly slow, dull, and downright boring for the first 45 minutes or so.  It did pick up at the 1 hour mark, and the last 45 minutes were much better than the first 45, which is always a good thing, but they weren't "good enough" for me to say I enjoyed this.

On a positive note, I agree that Natalie Portman did a great job in a tough and demanding role.  Vincent Cassel was good, but not great, IMO.  Barbara Hershey was very good, but her character was too over the top for me to take her 100% seriously.  BUT, the standout performance for me, was Mila Kunis, even though her role seemed so small early on.  She stole every scene she was in, IMO.  Her character and her performance came off as 100% believable for me...and she's one hot babe, which never hurts.  

You know, I've read and heard so much about how big and deep this movie is, but IMO, it really wasn't.  I found it to be rather small, actually.  I see many similarities to other movies, as well.  It took place in so few settings, also, which may create the small feel I got.  I don't know..it was all quite simplistic for me, even though it sure tried to be deep.

Finally, I have to admit, I absolutely hate dancing, as well as anythign involving dancing.  I actually get quite a kick out of watching someone embarrass them self by dancing, and I have nothing against watching hot babes shake it while scantily clad.  But ballet doesn't do anything for me at all.  I find it so dull, so unattractive, so completely over the top goofy, that it may have skewed my thoughts here.  Not sure.

Although slow, dull, and visually unappealing to me, I do see power here, as well as some great performances.  If you enjoy ballet, I understand there's beauty here. But for me, it was an ugly, hard to watch movie.

More to follow on Script Club...so maybe you want to join in and let me know the error of my ways and judgment.

Watched it a few months ago and was pretty "meh" about it.
It was better to watch in subsequent viewings after it's rolled around in my brain for awile, but I don't think I'll be recommending it to anyone or buying a copy for myself.

(NOT DISCUSSING SCRIPT!) I think the first viewing go-round I found THOMAS' character to be much more manipulative and predatory.
Now,  I'm a little more lenient on the character's demeanor, although still recognizing him as a HR nightmare.

The film did a decent job of displaying the mother-to-daughter family history of illness.

This thread is superb. I have learned a lot from your comments. In re this in particular as I have not SEEN BS in the traditional sense; I read it and LOVED it. My take on the script was it had Carrie and All About Eve beats here and there going on. Sounds as if I was pretty close. I think our simplyscripts 'audience' is probably among the most savvy critics out there. That brings to me the script itself; the scripts you pitch really must YANK or SEDUCE or INTRIGUE and TICKLE the reader from page one. Keep up the great work. This is a huge help I think to us all. HAPPY FOURTH to all! babz

The script was excellent, but the film was that rare thing that was even better imo.

Amazing piece of work.

Quoted from wonkavite You know, it's funny.   Would love to read the script, because I'm willing to bet that most people - if they read the script cold without having the benefit of having seen the film - would claim that it's too slow moving...and that "more action is needed!"

Hi there. Interesting comment. Having read yours I will tell you this; I have not seen BS but read it and could not put it down. This by the way, after hearing many critics say "eeeeewwww! save your money." For my money, it lacked for nothing. I read it cold, too. Know nothing about any of the parties involved, except the two female leads. I have read a few scripts this week from unproduced writers. Man, they are BAD. Just bad. Bad writing, super boring, I mean I don't know how you guys who write well (Phil and Ryan come to mind) do what you do, but honestly, it's magic when it works. And when it's there, it CAN'T be missed. A super read. bb

B,
In all of your spare time and having read the screenplay for it, will you be particpating in the BLACK SWAN script review tomorrow and across the week?

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films The script was excellent, but the film was that rare thing that was even better imo. Amazing piece of work.

This is one of the rare occasions where I saw the movie before reading the story, (in this case the script) and unless I'm mistaken, there are things in the script that don't occur in the movie, but I'm going to watch it again tomorrow since it's been awhile.

In regards to the opposing views:

People who love theatre and people who love more psychologically (as opposed to action) based entertainment will probably enjoy this film more. I guess it's kind of like people who enjoy chess more than skiing.

Interesting to note for me personally, is that I have learned that I enjoy more heady movies, ones based more on characters and psychology, but in life, I enjoy being more physically active if I can. Not that I don't like a fast-moving film. Bourne comes to mind. Loved those, but I don't require it. I think some people need that-- kind of works like a drug in some people I think and this is probably why some people might not enjoy this film. It's all about a person's individual perception.

If any of you haven't jumped on the Black Swan Script Club read yet, you might really enjoy it.

Sandra

Here's is a pathetic truth; I have to see Super 8 and a couple of others first. (all for work.) and SEEING a film takes a back seat to reading scripts by working and or undiscovered writers and pitching time, but I manage to get it all done.  My viewing time has been cut into however SIGNIFICANTLY. But I look at this way; the folks IN THE FILM have made their money, and I am out to earn as much money as I can. Ed did remind me however; "Kid, see just enough, to stay sharp, and not be too influenced." now THAT is a fence which is hard to straddle. bb

Quoted from nybabz Ed did remind me however; "Kid, see just enough, to stay sharp, and not be too influenced." now THAT is a fence which is hard to straddle. bb

The bullet of verisimilitude. The good side is that we can be discerning with what we choose to read and watch. More than ever, people see through thin veneers where all the p's and q's might be in place, but it's just a rip off of repackaging.

You can often get away with that for the younger crowd (ah heck that's where the money is so what am I saying) but people with a bit of wisdom desire more than movies that are like fast food.

Sandra

so what's your point

Quoted from nybabz so what's your point

I'm not sure who the question is aimed at, but if for me:

The point is, that if you straddle the fence for too long, you might be inclined to high levels of agitation.

One must choose, I guess. Staying sharp has its price. Some decide to stay sharp in the here and now of the power and money and machines that are the latest and greatest of movies or whatever they're selling us; others choose to stay sharp in the place of their hearts. Whether we're talking movies or Grandma's ironed sheets, the heart is in the depth of feeling therefore:

His words of wisdom:

"Kid, see just enough, to stay sharp, and not be too influenced."

Strikes a chord with me. It tells me to try and stay somewhat current,
but remain true to myself.

Sandra

spot on, Sandra. Spot on. Good thoughts, all. bb