Dazzlingly Dark

Rating: 9/10 (6 December 2015)

Black Swan is a plunge into a really dark world of self-doubt that not only manages to make its audience incredibly uncomfortable, but also establishes a psychological and interpersonal connection with it as well.
Director Darren Aronofsky has been no stranger to directing some of the deepest, most personal and darkest films of the 21st century. Black Swan is not only not an exception, but perhaps his most layered film yet. I had been anticipating this film with incredibly high expectations, considering my admiration and appreciation of his directing of contemporary classics like Requiem and The Wrestler, yet this film still managed to absolutely floor me. Natalie Portman delivers her indisputable best performance to date, with complete immersion into her raw and starkly real role as the Swan Queen, Nina. Her performance serves the very deep and personal plot flawlessly, which absolutely made its way into my soul. The supporting cast is pretty good too, leaving nothing to be desired. But perhaps most exceptionally notable is this film's direction and lighting. The dark and disturbing imagery that accompanies this film is shot so spectacularly well that I was often left conflicted between awe and disgust. The film's script also integrates itself within the film and its cast seamlessly, as I, even being the script nitpicker I am, couldn't find a line in the movie that felt out-of-place or awkward. It is all consistently emotionally- investing and brilliantly unsettling.
All in all, Black Swan is an unforgettable work of art that managed to completely obliterate my already high expectations. Definitely the best drama of 2010.