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Black Swan (2010 film)

A 2010 psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky.

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Aesthetic but void

Mar 13, 2011

by yuliab

Exclusive to the Lunch Network

Rating:

-1

Arnofsky's latest is a pretentious work, with little content. His sophistry stops at camera work, and the only real value of the film lays with Natalie Portman's acting - and the makeup artists.

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More Black Swan (2010 film) reviews

review by woopak_the_thrill. December 04, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

Dancing With One's Own Personal Reflections....

Last time Darren Aronofsky impressed me this much was with the film “The Wrestler”; it was a cinematic experience that was filled with a methodical approach, careful calculation, character-driven dualism and compelling drama. Yes, admittedly I was excited to see his latest film “Black Swan” and it wasn’t anything I expected it to be and yet it became so much more. This film is tense, taut, filled with dramatic and horrific logic that will stay with you after the end … more

Comments (59) Compliments (169)

review by jbeswick. December 20, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

Fight Club Meets Swan Lake - And It Rocks!

Darren Aronofsky has achieved the impossible: he's made ballet cool. Seriously, get rid of the Best Film award and introduce the Made Something Cool That Was Hitherto Completely Uncool award, and then kick Guy Ritchie squarely in the unspeakables for making Sherlock Holmes. First, he threw out all that ballet shoe shit and went straight for the jugular, combining Heath Ledger's Joker with Tyler Durden from Fight Club to give us "holy crap it's Natalie Portman": … more

Comments (15) Compliments (157)

review by Sean_Rhodes. January 17, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

"I Wanted to Be Perfect..."

I don't admit to being a big Darren Aronosfky fan. I enjoyed Pi and Requiem for a Dream, but he never became a director that I thought was worth putting on my radar. He makes intriguing films to be certain, but Black Swan was the first time I saw one of his films and felt blown away by it. Like I'd just sat through something magical, simple and yet very complex at the same time. It has its moments where it goes overboard, scenes that go to extremes that, for the most … more

Comments (10) Compliments (48)

review by CRSwanson. January 31, 2011

Ballet: not for the psychologically unstable

Ballet is an interesting activity. When done right, it can be mesmerizing and impressive as hell. The physical demands placed on the dancers are enormous (I recall reading a book that described ballet dancers as all being “half-crazed with hunger”), and I can only imagine how heavy the psychological burden must be, especially if you’re not the most stable person in the world to begin with. That’s situation in which a young dancer (Natalie Portman), finds herself in Black … more

Comments (2) Compliments (42)

review by Sharrie. January 12, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Haunted! HUNTED!

It’s no theatrical tricks but it certainly set the mood for the entire film. It’s seldom at first scene that I have an idea how to start a review, much less right at the very beginning of the show. Granted, I’ve read a couple of reviews here and there on this movie but I have managed to steer clear of knowing exactly what the movie entails. I know I don’t feel comfortable starting this movie, even though it has tempted me since I got hold of the dvd copy. I managed to steer … more

Comments (13) Compliments (40)

review by MichaelN. May 29, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Dark Look at The Cost of Being the Best!

I got this movie on DVD, which was good because even after you watch it, you need to go back and look at certain scenes again to try to determine if they were real or imagined. Portman is a profession ballet dancer vying for the starring role in a new version of Swan Lake in Lincoln Center. Portman is pushed forward by her domineering mother, who herself was a ballerina and keeps reminding Portman that she needed to retire at 28 to raise Portman. Age is a continuing factor … more

Comments (3) Compliments (24)

review by ryguy4738. April 16, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

"The only one standing in your way is you."

**** out of **** "Black Swan" is a paragon of psychological filmmaking; a wild melodrama, which was simply made for the sake of its own unique existence. The project was ambitious, and in some ways, I couldn't have seen it working. A film like this being this good just doesn't seem impossible, but then again, go ahead and try telling director Darren Aronofksy what's "impossible". I don't think that the man believes in the word. He's been making films for over … more

Comments (2) Compliments (24)

review by vampire_eyez. May 17, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Who knew life in the ballet could hold so much drama?

When i first saw the commericals for this movie it looked good, but then again its about ballet dancers....booooring right? WRONG! I was shocked and amazed at how much i liked this movie. It was enthralling, sexy, and at some points outright creepy. The movie starts off with Nina, a dancer in the new york ballet who is looking for her break into stardom after being out of the spotlight for several years with the company. When her boss announces that their current star will be retiring and he will … more

Comments (4) Compliments (18)

review by rmurray847. December 19, 2010

A fierce, fascinating film with a great performance by Natalie Portman

BLACK SWAN is the story of a ballerina driven to insanity by her drive to succeed and to be perfect. It's also one of the more purely fascinating movies of 2010. Natalie Portman gives the performance of her career as Nina, the dancer. Nina has been with the professional ballet company headed by Thomas (Vincent Cassel) for a number of years, and she's hoping this will be the year she gets a lead role. He's reviving SWAN LAKE, and needs a new White Swan/Black Swan. Nina is a technically proficient … more

Comments (3) Compliments (18)

review by Stephanie_Smith19. March 16, 2011

Black Swan

Black Swan is a wonderful movie, although it is definitely not for everyone. I know I am also late jumping on this bandwagon, seeing as the Oscars are over, but I had to state my claim and wait for my mum's permission to watch it. But waiting was definitely worth it, because Black Swan is a terrific movie. Wonderfully acted, wonderfully directed, and wonderfully intense, if you were expecting an ordinary movie about ordinary ballerinas, then this isn't the movie for you. Instead, its … more

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see all Black Swan (2010 film) reviews (24)

About the reviewer

Yulia Berko (yuliab)
Ranked #2275

Member Since: Mar 13, 2011
Last Login: Mar 16, 2011 09:16 AM UTC

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About this movie

Wiki

Black Swan is a 2010 American psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis as ballet dancers in a New York City production of Swan Lake. The production requires a ballerina to play both the innocent White Swan and the sensual Black Swan. Nina (Portman) fits for the White Swan, Lily (Kunis) fits for the Black Swan, and the two compete for the parts. Aronofsky and Portman first discussed the project in 2000, and after a brief attachment to Universal Pictures, Black Swan was produced in New York City in 2009 under Fox Searchlight Pictures. Notable figures from the ballet world helped with film production to shape the ballet presentation. The film is set to premiere as the opening film for the 67th Venice International Film Festival in September 2010. The film will have a limited release on December 1, 2010.