I felt it...It was perfect...

Movie: Black Swan

Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel

Rating: ****1/2 (Top)

 

No great artist ever sees things as they really are.  If he did, he would cease to be an artist. – Oscar Wilde

A real artist is the one who lives his art every moment. This story is about the journey of such an artist/a ballet dancer, her quest to perfect her act and how it turns around her life forever.

The movie is the story of a ballet dancer Nina (Portman) obsessed with her art form. She bags the part of the Swan Queen, the main protagonist of the Act. While her choreographer Thomas (Cassel) finds her perfect for the White Swan but not for the fiery and seductive, evil twin, the Black Swan.  Her mother (Barbara) keeps her from breaking out by disciplining her. Then she comes across Lily (Kunis) who embodies the Black Swan for her. She keeps working hard to perfect her act as the Black Swan and slowly it turns into an obsession. In this process she starts drifting away from reality and enters a world of hallucinations.

This movie is a classic piece of art. As an audience the character of Nina connects with you and you become a part of her roller coaster life. The use of mirrors and reflections are an intrinsic part of the story telling.
The final act is the highlight of the movie and it keeps you mesmerised and glued to the screen even after it’s over.

Aronofsky (Director) is a true artist to make a film like this. His movies stay with you for a long time (Requiem for a Dream) and this is no different. It is a completely Natalie Portman centric and she gives an astounding performance portraying dual personalities, from being naive and scared to confident and seductive. The side performances by Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis and Barbara Hershey are strong and leave an impact.

My Oscar definitely goes to the Black Swan this year. It will remain with me for a long time and would like to thank Aronofsky for making such a masterpiece.