Movie Review: Black Swan

I really, really, really, want to like Black Swan. Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems that I just can't forgive. The first is the script. Yes, it is molded around the story of "Swan Lake" which at first glance is a very clever conceit. However, the references to Nina (played by Natalie Portman... don't worry, we'll get to her) "becoming the black swan" were so gratuitous through out the film, I almost walked away feeling like I was being talked down to. Yes, we get it. There are parallels on many levels. Don't cram it down my throat.

The structure of the film was fine, however, and the the last third of the film really makes sitting through the first two worth it. The finalé is beautiful and emotionally strenuous. A perfect harmony of cinema, music, dance, and drama. This is part of the reason why I am so frustrated with the film, and its director, the now Oscar nominated Darren Aronofsky. Based on an interview from Creative Screenwriting Magazine, Aronofsky was tremendously involved with the development and rewriting of the script. How can such a staunch cinematic visionary be pleased with such clunky dialogue? It's embarrassing at times. I start to think well, maybe I am missing something. Maybe that is the way that it is supposed to be. Aronofsky is trying to tell me something about human nature with this fable. But then I say No! He could have told this story without dialogue (they do it every year in ballet that is the subject of the film), and it would have been better!

Now, Ms. Portman. Yes, she is the Oscar favorite. And yes, she truly transformed herself for the role. And yes, she nailed the dancing, which was critical for this entire movie to work. But... much like the character she was portraying, Ms. Portman never transcended into the role. There was always a sheen of the starlet's personality that came through some how. And I don't think that you can always revert to pouting to express confusion, sadness, distress, and annoyance. This is the performance that I saw. There were so few instances of true raw emotion (and there were a few shining moments) coming from Ms. Portman that it totally destroyed all of the work that she accomplished with her technical feats. I just have a hard time believing her character, who is the premiere dancer at one of the world's most famous ballets, and who grew up in New York City for that matter, could be so removed. I might be wrong about this, and Mr. Aronofsky's conceit for the characters in his nightmare/fable just didn't resonate with me. However, Ms. Portman's performance is worthy of study for actors or directors on physical transcendence and commitment, but it is not worthy of an Oscar.

7.75/10