Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A Movie Review: Black Swan

Black Swan. What was that movie? Total chaos. A constant transition from reality to a dream state and back to reality. And in the end, total enjoyment. Yes, I was riveted to the movie screen throughout – and not just during the make-out session between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. I found there to be so many fascinating relationships in this movie. Nina (Natalie Portman) and her mother (Barbara Hershey): A mother both jealous (to the point and wanting to keep her daughter psychologically imprisoned) and supportive of her daughter. Nina and Thomas (Vincent Cassel): is this teacher seductive or just trying to get the best out of his new star? Nina and Lily (Mila Kunis): Is Lily jealous of Nina or is Nina imagining the backstabbing?

Opinions. Thomas was more trying to get the best out of his new star versus trying to seduce her. Of course, he probably wouldn't have minded sleeping with her, but putting on a great show was essential. Lily is complicated. She was obviously motivated and would have wanted the lead. And I think like many she noticed that perhaps Nina had some short comings, but her pure joy for Nina towards the end of the movie showed that she was more friend than enemy. Nina, of course, portrayed Lily as her frenemy, which provided great motivation.

My complaint: I did find some of the dream states a bit over-the-top, especially the scene between Nina and Beth (Winona Ryder) at the hospital.

My opinion (potential mild spoiler as the ending is rather dramatic) regarding the ending: I believe that Nina reverted back to a temporary dream state. Blood always seemed to imply a dream state.

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