By Colleen Glenn
What I am about to say will be unpopular and may very well result in rescinded dinner invitations and nasty Facebook posts, but here is the Truth: Black Swan is possibly the most overrated film of the year.
Before you hang me in effigy, let me explain.
It’s an entertaining psychological thriller; I will give it that. Black Swan will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you squirm. It may even keep you up at night. Great nuanced performances by several actors (particularly Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel) combine to form a captivating cast. Director Darren Aronofsky paces the film well, building suspense slowly as the narrative evolves toward the denouement. Finally, superb set and costume design create an imaginative landscape that teeters on the edge of reality.
But, anyone who saw its precursor, The Wrestler, knew exactly where this plot was headed. The titillation of Aronofsky’s thriller felt considerably diluted (and bombastic) due to the predictability of the narrative.
What saved The Wrestler from becoming melodramatic schmaltz was the incredible performance of Mickey Rourke who took a script full of clichés and fused them into a powerful drama through his ability to develop a fully human and tragic character.
Natalie Portman, as Nina the ballerina, nails the driven, perfectionist component of her character (major props to her for learning ballet, by the way), but ignores all other potential dimensions of the woman she inhabits. The result is a protagonist who is flat and rather boring to watch. That is, until the last five minutes when she transforms…just exactly as we knew she would.
Even the infamous sex scene between Portman and Kunis was underwhelming and safely lodged in fantasy. Making it even less audacious, there was little chemistry between the leading women. Since Kunis rivals Prince for sexy mojo (Macaulay Culkin, really?!), the problem, again, seems to be Portman.
But don’t expect the Oscars to reflect this critic’s opinion. Portman will likely win an Academy Award for her performance. So, Swan fans, relax and feel confident that your film will get the recognition you feel it deserves.
If you need me, I’ll be at home, eating dinner by myself.
charles pierce
I couldn’t agree more. Between what Aronofsky did to Jennifer Connelly in “Requiem For A Dream,” and what he puts Portman through in this POS, you gotta wonder about him and women.