An Experience

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2019)

Wow! I'm still trying to gather all my thoughts about this film, so all I can say for sure is that it was an absolute rush! The acting from Natalie Portman was tremendous - the Oscar she received for her role was definitely wholeheartedly deserved. I loved the slowly increasing sense of madness this film conveyed. I felt like I was losing my mind as I was watching it. The cinematography and editing helped add to this feeling significantly because of how the camera is always moving and weaving in and out and around the characters - making you feel like you are part of the action and dancing.
I also loved the use of music. Very few moments in the film are devoid of it. The last fifteen or so minutes are a particularly good example since the music is ever-present and it builds and builds along with the final performance until the very last moment and then...applause. It's hard to summarize and convey the effect that it has in a few words. Perhaps the best way to put it would be that it makes you feel the pressure, madness, rush, and finally ecstasy that Portman's character is feeling during the final act.
The 108 minute runtime flew by so quickly for me that when the film ended I was taken completely off-guard. That's not to say the ending felt abrupt though; I think it ended at the absolute perfect moment. I was simply completely and utterly captivated by what I was seeing that I lost track of time and everything around me.
I really should not have put off watching this film for so long, especially with all the recommendations I got for it. This was incredible!