Darren Aronofsky's Masterpiece is his best work yet!

Rating: 10/10 (14 September 2010)

I have watched Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" at its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film exposes the viewers to the highly competitive world of classical ballet through a psychologically intense pirouette of emotional and physical battles of a company dancer. A behind-the-curtain portrayal of the rise and fall of a principal dancer, it captures, from an every possible angle, the inner and the outer struggles of a dancer that is now required to climb above and beyond technical perfection to deliver a brilliant performance. Aronofsky has been very keen to reveal to the audience very early in the film that what they are about to see is an inner metamorphosis of the main character, but what he reserves revealing is just how wild exhilarating the ride will be. Natalie Portman in the lead role has delivered a perfect act on every level. Her introduction of the main protagonist as a tragedy waiting to unfold greatly augments the anticipation of the transformation the audience is so eager to see. The relationships of the protagonist with the key surrounding people (mother, creative director, alternate, male partner, other dancers in the company, and even the former principal) are explored to great depth, and Aronofsky builds his storyline on every factor that would have influence on the success of this new principal. Natalie Portman has delivered a sensational performance, depicting effortlessly, it would seem, yet with great intensity, every emotion to keep the audience captivated. Aronofsky does a great exploring the main character's obsessive drive for technical perfection, chronic physical and mental exhaustion, and her damaged and uncultivated sexuality, while exploring how, under changed conditions and increased pressure, these would collide to create a self-destructing ingenious artist. The ballet subject chosen by Aronofsky is perfect for such explorations – it is the one art where technical perfection and artistic expression are often at odds. The timing is impeccable and the thrill is sustained all throughout until the very end, taking us through a number of sometimes very chilling crises. Musical score is a superb adaptation of Tchaikovsky's themes. Aronofsky has really told a fascinating and complete story here (in his own twisted and dark flavour, of course), and that is what great directing is all about! It is a ten out of ten!