“Black Swan”, Dark and Disturbingly Beautiful

4 February 2011

It was one of those nights when there was nothing much to do.  

I guess I must have overheard one of my girlfriends say that Black Swan is a definite must-see.

So I did watch it.

I was ready to be bored out of my wits, with the usual love story, fairy tale, happy ever after Disney musical or dance operetta or what have you.  The opening sequence came out and mildly shocked me.  

The Story of Swan Lake, the Ballet, is probably 2-3 decibels away from the plot of Black Swan and the only similarity I saw was Ballet. I took that opening scene as a signal that this was going to be one of those movies I would likely be thinking about for awhile even way, way after the closing credits.

If you half expected the same thing I did from this movie, or because some wannabe movie critic friend of yours tells you the movie brought some hair-raising moments, don’t look for vampires who will suck your blood dry or zombies who refuse to die,  to terrify you in this film.  Nothing in this movie qualifies to categorize it in the horror genre, the likes of James Cameron or Wes Craven creations.  Nor should you expect blood, gore and in your face nudity typical of Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez.

The Black Swan is so dark it will scare you of its darkness.  

If you are planning on watching Black Swan and appreciating this based on its own merits, then I refuse to be seduced to tip you off with the movie’s story line. But the depth and breadth of the human emotions displayed were deep and profound – the power of ambition, to dream; love and jealousy; friendship and betrayal; unconditional, suffocating love and lust; it’s got everything … the whole enchilada. I would venture to say it is a very impactful psychological thriller. 

My friends were all eager to ask me how I thought about the movie.  I was groping for answers I used another Disney Movie and said, “My brain got Tangled”.

I could only say that Mila Kunis is totally hot; and that I couldn’t remember the name of the actor-dancer, who is the father of Natalie Portman’s child.  But this I can tell you, Natalie Portman’s acting was impeccable, faultless, effective and rightfully deserving of accolade, even a 2^nd Oscar.  She was just powerful in this film.  So powerful I can no longer imagine her as Queen Amidala.

"I will not condone an action that will lead us to war" - Queen Amidala (The Phantom Menace)

This movie will disturb you.  It will challenge your revered logic and sensibilities.  The challenge it poses to your ego is so strong it will hit you right in your inner core only Freud can help you soothe it.  The movie is somehow intrusive.  It claws its way into the recesses of your dark side you are too flustered to admit existed.  Above all, it is masterfully executed you feel a tad discomfit you actually relished its mystery.  I did.  Practically reveled in its invasiveness.

It is a beautiful movie.  I wish I have the right words to describe how wickedly this film through dramatic, impressive visuals and outstanding actors’ performances, brought to cinema the dynamics and complexities of the human mind.