Black Swan’s beauty is in its ugliness [Black Swan]

The buzz this season seems to be about Black Swan, and deservedly so. This compelling drama is filled with amazing performances and outstanding direction. Though filled with raw emotion, it stays real — giving audiences a glimpse into the darker side of the fine arts. 

Black Swan centers on Nina (Natalie Portman) a young ballet dancer competing for the coveted role of the Swan Queen in her company’s upcoming production of Tchaikovsky‘s Swan Lake.

Like the White Swan in the story, Nina is a fragile but beautiful creature. Her attention to detail and technique have made her a favorite for the auditions, but Thomas (Vincent Cassel) feels Nina will not be able to perform the Black Swan, the seductive, alluring evil twin.

Even after she is awarded the roll, Nina finds herself at war with her own doubts and fears. She is haunted by the past lead of the company, a bitter aging dancer named Beth (Winona Ryder). Beth rages at being forced into retirement, and directs her anger at Nina who is already doubting her ability to take up the mantle.

And Nina finds herself looking over her shoulder as a new dancer Lily (Mila Kunis) enters the picture. Lily seems at times a seductress, but Nina is unsure whether Lily is trying to befriend her or sabotage her chances at playing the part.

Natalie Portman and Vincent Cassel star in Black Swan (©2010 Fox Searchlight). Photo by Niko Tavernise.

The story is backed by a powerful cast, including Barbara Hershey as Nina’s mother, Erica. Hershey delivers an outstanding performance as an overbearing mother who oversees every aspect of her daughter’s life. The tension between her and Nina is palpable. There seems to be a tremendous back story to their relationship, and every scene between these two characters is powerful.

Let me add that Portman, who until now has often tackled roles beyond her years, finally gives us a look at a fragile character instead of a strong one. I loved seeing her portray a young woman devoid of self-confidence and power. Instead, we see a girl who is so wrapped up in her ideals of perfection that she resorts to self-mutilation to correct imperceptible flaws.

And herein lies the greatness of Portman’s performance. She made me believe it. From her soft voice to her anguish over every choice she makes, her Nina comes through as completely real.

Leave it to director Darren Aronofsky to create a haunting and visceral adaptation of the ballet Swan Lake by setting it within the world of ballet. The film is both haunting and beautiful, with the cast bringing a level of complexity that raises it above a mere thriller.

The film does an excellent job of combining the beauty and elegance of ballet with the ugliness and fragility of the world behind the stage. The story takes the viewer on a mad ride, following Nina as she spirals through a life filled with duplicity and deception of her own making.

Rated for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.
108 minutes
FilmGuru’s Rating: 5 out of 5 stars