This is pretty grand, Guignol

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2010)

Truthfully, if I had to sit through one more preview of the trailer of this film, I thought I was going to scream. Aronofsky is someone I just don't get, and the deluge of publicity for this film as well as all the award nominations made my heart sink that I would have to man-up and buy a ticket to see "Black Swan." The big surprise is this is the most coherent film Aronofsky has managed to make. And good for him! I could finally join the legions who applaud him. I was, however, reminded often of two Polanski films: "Repulsion" and "Rosemary's Baby." But I won't begrudge the achievement. This is a rip roaring horror film on tippy toes.
The heart of the film belongs to Natalie Portman. Just go ahead and give her all the awards. She's magnificent. But so are her costars, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder and the incredible Barbara Hershey. But to be honest, I couldn't wait for Mila Kunis to reappear in whatever scene was next, usually precluded with a slamming door; she's absolutely riveting.
While the hook here is ballet (and it's all very well accomplished and convincing, which is admirable) this might as well have been a Freddy Krueger film. Quite a few scenes are (were) unwatchable. And the suspense/dread Aronofsky creates earns the price of admission.
While I won't say it's the best film of the year, Ms. Portman elevates it to something near that. While it pawns itself off as a study of the stress put on performing artists, it's really just a good scary film. And it's a great job from everyone involved.