Big Wow

Rating: 10/10 (21 January 2011)

Watched this film last night after a bit of a debate with myself about the ballet aspect of the film, as I'm not a big fan of ballet. However I have to say, that aspect of the film is actually a very nice backdrop to this story. I guess ballet in the real world would require a lot of mental energy, so straight away the film has a believable quality about it. Top that with incredible acting, you're cooking up a great film already.
The obvious stand out star of this film is Portman. I think her dedication to this role is unprecedented. She looks unhealthily thin and looks like a typical ballerina from New York (I guess). Then there's the dancing itself, which also (as a non-expert) looks very believable. I can only imagine the amount of hours she put into training for this role.
However the stand out stuff for me was her evil stuff. The stuff she sees in the mirror is pretty scary. She pulls it off and it contrasts her timid white swan side brilliantly. I can see movie directors wanting her to play bad girls at a future date. This is her best acting recorded so far.
The actual film itself to me at least, reminded me of a few other films such as Eyes Wide Shut and Vanilla Sky. Eyes Wide Shut for the arrangement and Vanilla Sky for it's twisted movements. Doesn't sound too logical but like I say, it's what sprung to my mind personally after watching it.
I think if Cubrick could've directed this, I don't think it would have been that different. So that is my compliment to the director. An outstanding piece of cinematography.