Kafkaesque Swan menaces

Rating: Null/10 (22 December 2010)

Something dark is lurking in the shadows and between the floor boards of Darren Aronofsky's physiological thriller the "Black Swan". We on one level watch a metamorphosis as Lily a young Ballet Dancer replaces Beth as the prima ballerina of an unnamed NYC Company at Lincoln Center. We are hinted to the madness of Beth as she smashes her dressing room (presumably after she is given the news of her replacement) and we must wonder if this action mirrors what we are about to witness our lead actress go through. Just what is real and what is in Lily's mind is hard to fathom because on another level the film is haunted by doppelgängers. The ending is inconclusive, and rightfully so, you will have to decide just where this film has taken you. A great conversation film.
The real praise goes out to the director, Mr. Aronofsky, whose choices are the real strength of the picture. An uncanny representation of light and color--even in the drab wastelands of the NYC Subway system--frame this work and give credence to its themes. Natalie Portman(Nina), Mila Kunis (Lily), Barbara Hershey (Erica) and Winona Ryder (Beth ) all give fine performances and stretch their acting chops to the limits. It is Portman's film though and she returns to the darker matter that started her career. Is it Oscar worthy ? I suppose that will depend of how much money the producres are willing to spend for it. Regardless of the Oscar or any of the 26 or so awards it has already received-- it is a film to see. Other kudos go to Set design, Lighting and Music. Let us not forget the producers and writers who took the long road that brought this film to a rather drab dramatic time in film history. Kudos--kudos-kudos all around.