A patronising and hysterical treatment of a sensitive subject

Rating: 3/10 (20 February 2011)

I have just come back from seeing this over-rated movie. Unsubtle is the kindest thing I can say about it. I am furious at the way that we the audience have been patronised by this hysterical trash. Mental breakdown in anyone is a harrowing subject. Yet to portray it as a horror movie so malevolently and in such an exaggerated manner misses the point. At times one did not know when one was watching reality and when fantasy. It would have been much more interesting to have shown the pressures on the Nina the dancer in a more truthful way. It would have forced more acting ability from the actors; it would have been more harrowing to watch. It would have induced compassion. (The giggling of the 2 young women next to us at the end was a very apt and perceptive critique in its own right.) The pressures of the over domineering mother, the sexually rampant choreographer, the evil intentions of Lily, the rival dancer, the fact that Nina's sheltered upbringing resulted in an emotionally and sexually virginal and immature young woman, the challenges of the first night, the tragedy of the previous prima ballerina laid off, the envy of the other dancers -- all these make for conflict and drama. Yet the opportunity for a subtle and absorbing drama was thrown away by the director who substituted instead cheap thrills (of a horrifying and harrowing kind). I repeat. Please do not patronise us, the audience. We all live with our own pressures. We know what fear and guilt feel like. You don't have to "simplify" it for us with Gothic and corny images. Grow up please and make us a grown up movie.