Black Swan (Updated Intro)

It will be a treat if any of you re-watch this movie as I did some few weeks before this update 2013 April 17. The black and white motifs are quite extensively exploited throughout the course of the movie and especially during the metamorphosis. Even "greys" were used and juxtaposed with the B&Ws --all found in the overall sets and design, intertwined with the plot. Kudos to the deliberateness, of symbols/symbolisms, and whathaveyou.

The following is the original blog post, some 2 years ago. With a couple of missing picture links.


Although I have completely forgotten Black Swan to be an Aronofsky, didn't exactly prevent me from much hype that had trickled down to my father; I am sure in the end he was more confused than the Swan Queen herself. So he watched; and I, I just watched along, mind you, huh?

As far as I know, Aronofsky is a neurotisist, delving on paranoia and an intense sense of awareness of self (circa Pi). With Swan Lake, I mean Black Swan, I caught up with his humor. I mean, whoever took losing one's self seriously is a crack joker.

"Perfect!"

Black Swan

Too bad I didn't watch this last year. It'd have made the Top 12.

Anyway, Natalie Portman, you are so beautiful. And I now forgive your crappy acting in Star Wars.

No, not that Star Wars.

Yep, that one.

Now although this film is about ballet, which a lot of people regard as "dancing for sissies", this film is definitely NOT for sissies. It comes off as a horror or suspense film, with some blood and no killers, all done in Darren Aronofsky's trademark "hallucinate-like-you-haven't-slept-in-days" style.

Which was also the style used by Winona Ryder's make-up artist.

Wait a minute... is that the guy from La haine? Yup, that's Vincent Cassell. Thanks, IMDb.

La haine: The film which taught us that hashish can be cut with a hot knife.

If you're a wuss (like me), then be prepared to cringe at some really disturbing images. Also be prepared to get turned on by images of Natalie Portman touching herself, and some Natalie Portman-Mila Kunis girl-on-girl action.

If this doesn't turn you on...

...then this should.

Once you get past all those graphically sexual images, this film is a great work of art. But watching it will make you ask a lot of questions, like these:

• Can she see ghosts? 
• Is her mom a ghost?
• Is she on drugs? 
• Is she crazy? Like Russell Crowe-crazy in A Beautiful Mind?
• Is this like Fight Club?
• Where did those wounds come from? 
• Did she really touch herself while filming?
• Is her dancing computer-generated?

After watching, some questions may have been answered. But a lot of them will remain unanswered. Damn you, Aronofsky!


*some info from IMDb
pics from Sodahead, Millionaire Playboy, demeter clarc, The Movie Db, Busy Buzz Blogging, and The Buzz Media


Black Swan. USA. 2010.


Rating: Eight point five out of ten.
Natalie Portman-Mila Kunis girl-on-girl action: Perfect ten.




If you liked this review, you may also want to read herd commander's review of Black Swan.