February 09, 2011

Black Swan


As part of our "holiday at home" my partner and I have been enjoying lovely meals at home and out as well as catching up on our movie watching. Last night it was the turn of Black Swan starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.

One of the many rave reviews for this movie describes it as a "psycho-sexual thriller" and it is certainly that! The word running through my head at the end of the movie was "intense".

The film is set in a New York ballet company and its new season is about to begin with a showing of Swan Lake. The principle role of the Swan Queen has been won by Nina Sayers (played by Natalie Portman) but a new dancer in the company, Lily (played by Mila Kunis) shows promise and Nina becomes convinced that she is trying to wrestle the role from her. The stress of taking on the role and being able to access the darker side of her personality in order to be able to portray the role of the Black Swan convincingly takes its toll on Nina and she begins to sink into a world of paranoia and hallucination - or does she?

This was an amazing, if at times difficult, movie to watch. The costumes, sets, music and dancing were magical (I have gone out and bought the soundtrack to the movie today!) and the performances by the two main female characters were incredible - Natalie Portman in particular deserves the praise and accolades she is receiving for this role.

A movie that will stay with me for a while...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

My mom told me about the scene with her fingers...and that was enough for me.

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

I so need to see this one - I think I'm going to try to drag my husband to see this one this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Intense indeed, though I did enjoy it. I recently heard Natalie Portman say in an interview that she lost 10 pounds training for the film and all I could think was, from where??

Nadia said...

I didn't even think of getting the soundtrack - good idea! I loved the movie and thought that Portman did a brilliant job as Nina. It was just such an interesting film that really captivated. So glad you enjoyed it!

Amanda said...

I keep thinking the synopsis sounds a lot like All About Eve. An old Betty Davis film. It sounds good though.

Karen said...

Hi Jill - That was a tough scene to watch!!

Hi Coffee - My partner came along with me and he quite enjoyed it (I think the fact that Natalie Portman was involved probably helped!).

Hi antipodeanowl - Intense but enjoyable I agree! I'm not sure where she would have lost that weight from either!!


Hi Nadia - It was definitely captivating!! I haven't played my soundtrack yet - might have to do that today while I do the housework!

Hi Amanda - I have never seen that film but I have heard about it - I might have to track it down...

Jodie said...

One for dvd I think , where I can fast forward through the bits that are too hard to watch.

Karen said...

Hi Jodie - that might be a good plan - although I think you will spend quite a bit of time fast forwarding!!

nomadreader said...

I loved this one too. It's one that has stayed with me!

Karen said...

Hi Carrie - I know exactly what you mean!

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