Big Screen Blurb: Black Swan

I admit it. I know about as much about ballet as I do about soccer, which is nothing. This is primarily because both of those allegedly entertaining genres tip the top of my "BORING" scale with equally gargantuan proportions. Black Swan, however, is literally, figuratively and well, literally again, Swan Lake brought to the big screen; and done so in a manner that is anything but boring. Actually, despite a slow start, it's quite good.

Nina (Natalie Portman) is a young ballerina, hoping to capture the lead role in a production of the renowned ballet, Swan Lake. Mission accomplished. Nina bests many, including the ballet veteran, Beth (Winona Ryder). Out with the old and in with the new, much to the chagrin of Beth. In the meantime, practice begins for the perfectionist, Nina. She captures the puristic, elegance of the white swan, but struggles to nail the passionate, inner darkness of the black swan. Enter Lily (Mila Kunis). She's a free spirit who has a whole lot of naughty girl in her. Lily befriends the meek and quiet Nina, despite the latter's unwillingness. This briefly opens up a new world for little Miss Goody-Two-Two's on the way toward the production's opening night. Lily is quickly cast as Nina's understudy. This sparks some intense paranoia, among Nina, a trait that is quickly usurping that trademarked meek nature. Yadayadayada two-twos and slippers are donned...the show must go on and we get a front row look at a paranoid delusional.

This one makes you think and it keeps you thinking long after the flick. I was initially at a 2.5 Star rating on this one, before bumping to a 3.0 and now settling on a 3.5 rating. Why? Simple. It has stayed with me for a few days now. It has kept me thinking and kept me wondering what was really going on with this girl. What was real? What was simply gripped in her in paranoia? It has kept me engaged to the extent of truly appreciating the director's (Darren Aronofsky) vision.

Yes, it does start rather slowly. This is undoubtedly because of the need to establish a foundation for the characters, primarily the quiet and mild, perfectionist Nina. However, there are a slew of other players that create this story. There is Nina's Mom (Barbara Hershey) and the Director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel) as well as Lily and Beth.

Bottom line: It's intriguing for certain. Figuring out what is real and what isn't is all part of the fun. If you like interesting characters and a plot that adds plenty of intensity and suspense to the mix, well, Black Swan emerges as quite and interesting movie. As previously mentioned, it is essentially the Swan Lake story brought to the big screen. You'll even catch the dramatic harmonies, which would ordinarily accompany a ballet, as the plot unfolds--a far different approach than the standard fare eerie music you get from the more mainstream psychological thrillers.

See this one and see it BIG.  After all, days later, I'm still wondering: What was going on with this girl? That way you'll get to talk about it with your amigos long before its March 2011 rental release.

True...OUT!

P.S. Where's the snow!?!