Press Conference
Published 8:59 am Thursday, January 27, 2011
‘Black Swan’ has its moments, but …
If you like a film that leaves you with more questions than answers, then “Black Swan” is just up your alley.
This two-hour psychotic thriller follows the dark journey of Nina (Natalie Portman), a career ballet dancer who gets the lead role in “Swan Lake.” She starts as a scared, dependent-on-her-mama, fragile little waif of a dancer who merely feels her way around the dance floor — and her life. The escapades of one wild night with the fierce Lily (Mila Kunis of “That 70’s Show” and “The Book of Eli”) unleashes this tiny dancer into a reckless, sexually charged, rebel-against-your mama dancing sensation.
Of course, a few odd obsessions and even odder relationships, which may have you already cringing in your seat, also lead up to the mind-bending climax.
While Portman will more than likely take home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role — and deservedly so for morphing herself from the good twin in “Swan Lake” to the evil twin as her character evolves — the plot leaves you with many questions, and the special effects leave you feeling like you’ve just watched an episode of “The Twilight Zone.”
I found myself wanting to just feed the poor, little, emaciated Nina a big, juicy cheeseburger with a side of fries and an extra-large chocolate malt, in hopes a little comfort food may bring her to her senses.
— Michelle Haacke