#5 Black Swan 2010

Black Swan
Released: 2010
IMDB rating (at the moment): 8,5/10 #87

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Written by: Mark Heyman, Andrés Heinz and John McLaughlin
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel

I just got home after watching Black Swan at a friends house. I have longed to see this film and finally the time was right.

The film focuses on a ballerinas struggle to get the leading role in The Swan Lake, she is fragile and introvert, just like the White Swan character in the performance, but as the time passes during practice she loses her mind slowly, and she becomes more like The Black Swan.

I have to say one thing, the acting, wow, wow, wow. Portman is killing in this film, my god. And I never thought that Mila Kunis could act very well, but she does make a great appearance in this film, a very good catch by the director and the casting ensemble. And for the rest of the actors, bravo, the douche bag director in the film and the mother is very odd but intriguing characters.

At first I didn't find the computer visualised effects during Ninas (Portmans) scary schizophrenic breakdowns appealing. But after reconsidering the full image in my head I come to realize that it is simply great. The full image is so fragile and strong at the same time. I adore it.

This is a masterpiece, I really have to admit that this is one of the best films I have ever seen. Not mainly because of the great plot and the brilliant directing. But because I felt this film. And I still do, I am almost shivering. I find it amusing and scary at the same time. And that is true cinematic art, to make the audience feel like I am right now.

It was actually thanks to Portman that Kunis got a part in the film, she suggested her to the director and he talked to her via Skype, and voila, she got a part in the film. Also Meryl Streep was considered as playing the mother, and Blake Lively auditioned to play Kunis character Lily. Although I think that Streep and Lively would have stolen too much attention.

Something that I was asking myself was; are Kunis and Portman actually doing most of the ballet dancing in the film or is it by a double? The truth is that both Kunis and Portman did most of the dancing but during the very advanced routines they had a double. Great work, indeed.

If you haven't seen this film, DO IT. It is a masterpiece.