Black Swan

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Stars: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel

Running Time: 108 mins

For Mr and Mrs reviews click on link below

Synopsis:

Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballerina in New York City School of Ballet. She wins the lead role in their new adaptation of 'Swan Lake' and is perfect for the role of the White Swan but also has to learn to portray the evil Black Swan, and slowly loses her mind as she is torn between the two.

Reviews:

Mrs:

This is a seriously dark film about an already troubled woman's descent in what I can only describe as Schizophrenia. All the way through the tension builds and builds up to the opening night so you can almost physically feel the pressure that Nina is under. The storyline is a little confusing at times, and you are constantly unsure about what is real and what is not, but that helps you to understand what Nina is going through. Natalie, as always, delivers a great performance, she depicts the vulnerability of someone having a psychological breakdown perfectly and certainly looks the part as a professional dancer. I also thought Barbara Hershey who plays her overly controlling mother was extremely believable and unlike-able. Overall a very tense and dark film which you need to be in the mood for but well worth watching for the fantastic acting and choreography.

Mr:

A good film whether you’re interested in ballet or not, but it does mess with your mind a bit as you’re unsure at times whether what is actually happening to Natalie Portman is real or just her imagination – which I realise is the whole point but it still may leave you needing to grab some fresh air!  She is very good in the film and worth an award or two and the film is worth watching, but probably only once.