Black Swan (2010) Directed by: Darren Aronofsky Written by: Andres Heinz, Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel Previous status: Never seen
"Was I good?"
Yes, you WERE good. Seriously, this one had it ALL. It was not only a visual masterpiece, but there were so many intricacies in the plot that made it one hell of a psychological thriller. Even if there were parts that were a bit gross to watch - when there was excess blood and gore, anyway. First thing that made me jump a bit was the bloody big toe - I had to check that mine wasn't bleeding, given how that toenail's hanging on by a thread (I injured it months ago and the toenail started to fall off in June). It wouldn't have been that bad otherwise, but the gashes and stuff - I'm not squeamish like my dad, but I still don't like the guts.
The most interesting things here were as follows:
Using Swan Lake as metaphor for Nina's life, with her character offing herself like... she ultimately did. The dichotomy is also interesting: Mila Kunis's Lily was a more bubbly, upbeat and carefree personality that embodied the dark, seductive Black Swan better in dance, while Natalie Portman's Nina was dark and disturbed, yet her dancing embodied the pure White Swan.
The way this started off normal but unraveled as it went along - it became impossible to tell what was real and what was imaginary after a certain point, and I'm struggling to figure out what that point was. Probably the ecstasy in the alcohol. This started feeling like Inception after a point, with multiple layers of Nina's subconscious we were going through - each more emotionally complex than the last, with increasing distortions. A schizophrenic mind is... scary to think about there.
Speaking of that ecstasy, that was ALSO when this suddenly became a porno out of nowhere. Lily just wanted to be friends with Nina. Even though "I feel shitty for what I did, so I stalked you" made no sense.... I do think it was because Lily actually gave a shit. She saw Nina as someone troubled and someone friendless, probably because of Helicopter Mom. BOY do I know that feeling. My mother refused to see me as an adult for the longest time and had to reevaluate things when it was pointed out to her. I can relate to Nina's plight a lot, though I'm glad I never tried drugs. She has hallucinations that distort her reality; me, I just have fantasies that blur with actuality. They're conscious and I know they're not real, and I can distinguish life from dreams.
Something I have to mention is the artistic camera shots, with close-ups, shaky camera, strobe lights, motion shots, and all that used to great effect. Shaky camera sucks in an action movie but here, in a psychological thriller about a schizophrenic dancer, it works wonders. There's still something I don't fully understand, and that's what was causing Nina's injuries. What was that on her back that she pulled out? I don't see any way she could have gotten that in there herself. It became clear that she'd stabbed herself at the end thinking Lily was her doppleganger (they do look like sisters), but it was another hallucination. Like many before it, probably including what happened with Beth in the hospital. And maybe even her inheriting "little princess" from Beth in the eyes of Vincent Cassel's character. Even though... yeah, he character was a prick who sexually exploited his dancers to bring out the best in them. He changed his mind on a dime just because Nina bit his lip. But I think he has good intentions - if it works and he has consent, great. If he doesn't have consent, fuck him.
I also have to say: This was hot. Seeing two actresses I've said many a time are among the hottest dance like this is arousing. The oral sex ecstasy dream was oddly kinky, and the "Was I good?" when Lily found out about it was hilarious. Her tattoo was never explained, though I don't know if it needed to be - or if it was even actually there. I don't know if the other dancers were actually worried about Nina at the end or not, or if that was a hallucination. Her eyes were red, she was losing her mind, and it was insanity. And then, as her character killed herself, she bled out, dying as the film closed. Quite the ending, let me tell you, but it HAD to end there. One thing that was great: This was all from Nina's perspective, so when that perspective no longer can exist, neither can the story. I hope Lily was just as "perfect" in as the Swan Queen.
Overall... a visual masterpiece. A psychological masterpiece. It was HOT. And frankly, I had to take a LOT of notes for this one. Just... look at this: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/2/8/AAR0ZFAADt8k.jpg
This means I give a shit. This means I am engrossed. All this writing means I liked it. I wouldn't trouble myself if I wasn't enjoying it, and I do expect other movies on THE LIST will have very, very short write-ups. This one did not. 5/5. May watch again.