Swan Lake director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel – Eastern Promises, Oceans 12) welcomes his production company for the upcoming season with the following little story.
“We all know the story. The virginal girl who is pure and sweet but trapped in the body of a swan. She desires freedom, but only true love can break the spell. Nearly granted is her wish in the form of a prince. But, before he can declare his love, the lustful twin, the Black Swan, tricks and seduces him. Devastated, the White Swan leaps off a cliff, killing herself and, in death, finds freedom”.
It’s short and simple, and we all understand it. And it’s the basis of Leroy’s ballet. As Thomas tells this story to his attentive company, he taps a few females on the shoulder. One of these women will replace an aging Beth (Winona Ryder – Edward Scissorhands, Girl, Interrupted) as the prima ballerina for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake. Nina (Natalie Portman – The Other Boleyn Girl, Closer ) is one of the girls who is tapped and ultimately awarded the role.
The key to the success of Swan Lake is that the same individual can dance the parts of both the White and Black Swan. While Nina has no problems dancing the part of the White Swan representing innocence and grace, she struggles mightily to become part of the darker, conniving, and sensual Black Swan. It is apparent to all in the company. Thomas understands that his production cannot succeed unless Nina lets herself go and becomes the Black Swan. Lilly (Mila Kunis – The Book of Eli, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), a new dancer to the company who possesses natural talent, sees this as an opportunity to become Nina’s understudy and talk over the role. Nina herself hears the criticism and feels the pressure.
From the movie’s onset to its conclusion, it is evident what a cut-throat survival of the fittest environment is. While landing the lead role in Swan Lake is Nina’s dream, knowing that she has the part that anyone and everyone in the company covets affects every move in
While Nina is the essential White Swan, iLily better personifies the Black Swan. The two turn their rivalry into a perverse friendship. Nina needs to discover her dark side, and Lily is the person who can take her there. While Lily exemplifies sensuality, Nina’s mother (Barbara Hershey – Hoosiers, Beaches) does everything in her power to suppress the sexual side of her daughter.
The only problem I had with the film was with Nina’s transformation. It was essential to show Nina as a shy, sheltered, fragile, and insecure young woman. Aronofsky did this perfectly. He didn’t rush it. He explained that this was how Nina was in all facets of her life, not just the ballet. And I also like how Leroy had to keep telling Nina repeatedly while using different methods to dig deeper and deeper to find that dark side. Since we are with Nina during every moment in the movie, we see what she sees, and we should feel what she feels. So why did it feel like Nina’s descent into madness came at such a feverish pace? Was it merely because the movie was getting too long? I would have preferred to see Nina slowly lose it rather than feel like her insanity was forced upon us quickly.
There were powerful performances that helped make Portman’s Nina look that much stronger. Leroy, Amy, Lily, and Nina’s mother pull Nina in four different directions, trying to turn her into the person they want her to be. Did these four characters represent pure evil? Were they not evil at all? You don’t know what to think when you watch each of them. Natalie Portman’s Academy Award Nominee (and probable win) for Best Actress is partly due to how great the supporting characters were. I don’t want to take anything away from Portman because she was splendid and deserves all the accolades she has received. But Vincent Cassel and Mila Kunis earned supporting actor nominations, too.
Plot 9/10
Character Development 9/10
Character Chemistry 10/10
Acting 10/10
Screenplay 8.5/10
Directing 9.5/10
Cinematography 9/10
Sound 8.5/10
Hook and Reel 7.5/10
Universal Relevance 9.5/10
90.5%