Demented

Rating: 9/10 (26 December 2010)

The first word that came to mind after watching this film was "demented". An absolutely demented film.
Natalie Portman gives a performance that is equal parts sweet and tragic. She has always shown flourishes, but not since her first break out role in The Professional, has she been this open, this exposed. The story is simple, yet the emotions complex. Portman plays "Nina", a 28 year old woman who still lives with her mom, chasing a dream that her mother had; to have the lead in a major production. But there is a new girl in the troop, "Lily", played by Mila Kunis, who Nina sees as a rival. Kunis is fantastic. Lily is the exact opposite of Nina; open, free, though just as talented, Kunis is wonderful and gives Lily the right amount of edge. The real problem in her life is that Nina's mother dots on her as if she were still a young girl. This has, in many respects stunted Nina emotionally and she is still the 16 year old girl that her mother treats her as. Barbara Hershey plays Nina's mother beautifully. The dynamic between Hershey and Portman is fantastic.
The film hints at a very demented and destructive side to not only ballet, but to the pursuit of excellence. Nina is constantly trying to be perfect. Perfect to the point of being self-destructive. This is manifested in a physical way through self-mutilation. Winning the coveted lead role in Swan Lake is equal parts blessing and curse for Nina. In many respects, the curse side is the most predominate. What ensues is a major demented, genius piece of filmmaking. Aronofsky, ever known as a filmmaker that is not afraid to take chances, gives us his most commercially demented work yet. The way he films and presents the art of ballet is breathtaking.
Bravo to Portman and Aronofsky, a film which intrigued me prior to seeing it, after viewing, left me equal parts happy and sad. Torn, like Portman's Nina, you have to love it when a film goes as deep into the rabbit hole as this one does, and leaves you breathless at the end.