Black Gem

Rating: 8/10 (24 May 2011)

Firs off, hats off to Natalie Portman and what is a stalwart performance, comprising of charm, beauty, tenacity, mystique, intensity and vulnerability. Miss Portman inhabits these characteristics and emotions and really takes (us) the audience on a roller coaster of emotions throughout the film. Secondly the directing...first class. The hand held camera work is utilised to a tee and the film has a sheen to it that coats the whole ambiance of the movie in sheer brilliance. There's plenty of scares, twists and turns and shock revelations that really keep your eyes pinned to the screen, not to mention some erotically/passionately charged making out scenes that really add to the dimensions of Nina's (Natalie Portman's) persona. And finally - the dancing...simply...breathtaking.
So to conclude this film is ace and I can't wait to watch a previous couple of films by Darren Aronofsky that I have yet to watch (The Fountain & The Wrestler)...I have really high hopes for them both.