Black Swan

After the solid but not entirely satisfactory Wrestler, Aronofsky consolidates his position among my most favourite directors. The first hour of Black Swan is pretty similar to Wrestler – we follow very closely (almost intimately) one person at a turning point of their lives, we feel their emotions and every one of their injuries. This is not always very pleasant, Aronofsky knows how to transmit pain from the screen to the viewer like few others. This “introduction” would already be enough for four stars, but the last half hour shattered, disarmed and decimated me; utterly so. I felt a constant chill on my back and I shivered like an aspen tree; my eyes an ears were unable to perceive anything but the film. No other film this year has made me feel like this. 100 % (2010-12-22)

An unexciting attempt at psychologically sophisticated art. Slightly irritating in places, unconventional thanks the interesting ballet setting, but an attempt nevertheless. Someone should tell Aronofsky that he is not the Kubrick of the 21st century. I admire the difficulty of ballet as an art, as well as Tchaikovsky's magical music, but this film is so empty and uses so many horror tropes that it's maddening. Hype of the year. PS: If it wasn't for Natalie Portman, who put so much effort into her role, I'd go even lower with the rating. (2010-12-25)

The same (un)attractive Aronofsky, a director who masterfully handles details and always, with the reliability of a Swiss watch, and excels in taking an overall view of the matter. The same goes for Black Swan, a film with incredible potential, offering an unconventional look into the world of ballet and its backstage. The director skillfully utilized this (Libatique and his camera escapades), while Natalie Portman's performance is captivating. Unfortunately, when it comes to the plot, it is lacking. The transformation is unengaging and essentially the same song – meaning Darren relies on certainty and follows the same psychological pattern (plus a few striking inserts). After several times, however, the effect is somewhat muted, and one tends to search for more and more flaws in each subsequent film of his. (2011-05-29)

This movie is a huge gem!!! Natalie Portman shows incredible talent and I believed her every second. The film is not demanding, and yet it is nerve wracking. I like ballet even less after this one. Because I feel a lot of pain and toil from ballet. So does this film. Mila Kunis absolutely amazed me with her courageous acting. A very good drama and experience... just the icky feeling bothers me. (2011-02-09)

You can stone me, but Aronofsky is repeating himself for the third time and it's getting old. Although he once again emphasizes the physicality and the decay of the soul and body, the film lacks any sort of more prominent moment that I haven't seen from him before. The lacerated fingers do hurt, but what I saw here was more so pseudo-art, where he gracefully tiptoes around but doesn't get to the core even once. The metamorphoses at the end amused me unintentionally rather than making me feel any kind of gradation or even catharsis. However, I can understand the standing ovation the film receives. (2010-12-26)