BLACK SWAN: GOOD MOVIE, GREAT ACTRESS

Thomas Leroy: We all know the story. Virginal girl, pure and sweet, trapped in the body of a swan. She desires freedom but only true love can break the spell. Her wish is nearly granted in the form of a prince, but before he can declare his love her lustful twin, the black swan, tricks and seduces him. Devastated the white swan leaps of a cliff killing herself and, in death, finds freedom.

Although this film began as more of an independent film, Natalie Portman's acting was outstanding enough to catapult it a mainstream release. Obviously, Portman has swept all of the award ceremonies this year for best actress for a reason. What some people fail to understand, is that while this film showcases an outstanding performance, that in itself does not make for a outstanding film in itself. I think many people found this film to be too psychologically layered and found the sub story a little too complex and confusing. The movie is about a ballerina whose whole world is consumed with dance. She has a mother (the fabulous Barbara Hershey) who smothers her and has denied herself a balanced life in order to be a great ballerina. The combination, sets her up to be psychologically fragile and when put under the stress of taking over the prima ballerina position for Swan Lake she eventually cracks. We see her descent into madness, including a rivalry that doesn't exist. I found it an interesting portrayal of a naïve young woman searching for her own identity, but then again, I enjoyed more psychologically-based films. Plainly put, however wonderful Portman's portrayal of Nina is, it is not a film for everyone. It is a very dark film, and involves the less than pretty part of the ballet world.