Coming into TIFF 2010, BLACK SWAN was my number one draft pick...the film I was building my entire schedule around. Would it be my Peyton Manning? Or my Ryan Leaf??
I'm very happy to report that it's the former - with a bullet. BLACK SWAN is the story of Nina Sayers (Portman), newly elevated to the role of prima ballerina in a New York City ballet company. They are starting their new season with a production of Swan Lake with Nina in the lead. While she can nail the elegance required for the role in her sleep, she's having trouble finding the passion.
The film is all about how director Thomas (Vincent Cassel) and fellow ballerina Lily (Mila Kunis) try to coax that passion out of her before the curtain goes up on opening night...and whether or not Nina can tap into said passion without losing her mind.
I was happily able to come into BLACK SWAN blind - I even avoided the trailer - so the framework of the film caught me very much off-guard. (Side note: I sure picked the wrong TIFF film to stop taking notes). Aronofsky has created a film that is just as much REQUIEM FOR A DREAM as it is THE WRESTLER. The result is so startlingly visceral and unsettling, that it's bound to divide audiences when it opens later this fall.
It is so much more than just "a ballet movie". It's a dark journey down the river, with themes of obsession, determination, sexuality, and the price of fame. It's Portman's most complicated part ever, and one that she nails at every turn. Cassel commands as the controlling and demanding director, and Mila Kunis shows us that she's capable of more than just animated voices and rom-com's.
But the true star of the film is Aronofsky and the seemingly bottomless bag of tricks he has at the ready. I don't dare reveal them here...mostly because the element of surprise was what made them so powerful for me. I will say this though: I'd love to know how he employed so many mirrors in this film and avoided all camera reflections.
BLACK SWAN is bound to be one of the most talked about films of the year. For my money, before I talk about it any more, I believe I need to see it one more time.
BLACK SWAN gets a limited release beginning December 1st
Sunday, September 19, 2010
TIFF Review: BLACK SWAN
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19 comments:
Awesome! I will probably avoid all further reviews for fear of too many spoilers. Thanks for the informative but spoiler-free review!
I'm with Alex on avoiding reviews and articles on this one until I finally get around to seeing it (who knows when that will be - depends on when I expect to do my best of list I suppose). Though the trailer for this just looked awesome.
Out of curiosity do you always take notes while watching a movie or do you just do it during events like TIFF? I remember you mentioning it before, but I wasn't sure.
I'm glad you liked it :) Can't wait for this one myself and I know how much it sucks when a hyped up film is a let down. I'm building up Blue Valentine and Somewhere so much that I'm making myself kinda nervous.
I'm also trying to avoid reviews and posts related to this movie (although I've written something myself at my blog) but I couldn't help reading yours. The trailer does look awesome, Aronofsky has never let me down :)
Great! Good to hear you've liked everything that I was anticipating. Can't wait to hear your full thoughts on the film.
I can't wait for this, it looks so damn weird.
Glad this didn't turn out to be your Ryan Leaf.
@ Alex... You're welcome. Thank you for helping me avoid the trailer with a trusty pair of headphones and the Some Cast It Hot podcast!
@ Univarn... At this point all bets are off, but when it comes to the TIFF lead-up I really try to ostrich myself since it's the only time of year I get to enjoy films blind.
As for notes, I usually don't take 'em in the theatre (not to mention it ain't easy to do so), but when it comes to a film festival I find it helps make sense of the cinematic bombardment.
@ Filmgeek... I know the feeling. For me back in the summer it was INCEPTION. If it'd sucked I would have just stayed home and not gone back to theatres until September.
@ Paranoia... (Welcome to The Matinee!) Well if you're trying to avoid details but still took a moment to read my take on it, then I feel honored.
@ Fitz... Thanks for reading dude. I'll have a full review up when it gets a theatrical release here in Toronto...December 1st if I have my facts straight.
@ Simon... You have no idea what you're in for!
@ Hal... You're the only person to get that reference, thanks for that.
I'm trying to know as little as possible before seeing this (like everyone else) but I have to know, how was Mansell's score?
So how is Winona Ryder's performance here? I heard from somewhere its an award-worthy one.
Good to hear you enjoyed this. Just about everyone is raving about it I might be forced to give it a shot in theater even though ballet (... shudder) isn't really my thing lol
Not surprised whatsoever by this review, this is as much as I'm going to look into it until I can see it in full. Can't effing wait.
(Golly this one is popular!)
@ Rachel... The score is solid, but it's difficult for me to remember it since the Swan Lake theme comes up so many times that it's all I can hear. I will say this though - the entire sound design of this film is essential to the experience. Make sure you see it in a theatre.
@ Anon... (Welcome to The Matinee...whoever you are) Winona is quite a force to behold in this film, however her scenes are very few (read: three) and far between. Were she to land herself a nomination, I'd be wickedly surprised.
@ Castor... It's not just "A Ballet Movie". Not in the same way something like Robert Altman's THE COMPANY is. That was what I expected going in, and suffice it to say, I was very much caught off guard.
@ Aiden... I'm honoured that I can be the only advance info you get on this film. Word of advice - if you haven't seen the trailer yet, try to avoid that too and go in as blind as possible.
I told a few people about your TIFF review Hatter, a lot of my friends are anticipating this flick. I might watch it on dvd, but this isn't the kind of movie I usually rush to see in theaters.
@ Ruth... I feel like I should give you some sort of kickback for the impromptu PR. Thanks for spreading the word of my reaction piece!
I must ask though, what is it about this film that makes it not "your thing"? I'm curious because I believe it needs to be seen in a theatre for maximum effect, and that it'll likely be in play during Oscar season anyway.
Great to hear this is more The Wrestler and Requiem that The Fountain. I had no desire to see this but based on the director and that review, I'll give it a look!
He..he.. yeah that post happen to be featured on IMDb, which naturally got lots of hits.
It's not my thing as the trailer is just creepy. I don't go for flicks that will haunt me, so I save those for dvd viewing. I guess I just don't have nerves of steel like most people. Like Inglourious Basterds for example, I ended up loving that flick but I know I won't be able to see that in the theater.
Can't wait!!! Looks phenomenal. You lucky bastard. Hope TIFF was fun...sure sounds like it.
@ Slinger... I don't think Aronofsky wants to go anywhere near THE FOUNTAIN ever again. Do give it a look, it's quite impressive.
@ Ruth... Ahhh, I was wondering where all the traffic was coming from! (Sidenote: lucky duck - I never get featured on IMDb)
That reasoning makes sense, since there's more than one instance in this film where things get a little crazy. Still, if you can muster up some courage, i vote you try to endure the big screen/big sound experience.
@ Peter... After a year off from TIFF, this roster of films was a great return, with this title being one of the best selections.
Lookin' forward to reading your thoughts on it when it goes wide.
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