Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” opens in eight cities today, so a considerable portion of our audience finally gets a look at the film (and at the attached trailer for “The Tree of Life,” for that matter). We’ve been discussing it since it bowed at Venice (where Guy gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up) and Telluride (where I caught up with it). And you can expect some interviews with those involved later in the season, but for now, we’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re able to catch it this weekend, head on back here and give us your take (or re-visit this post when the film reaches your neck of the woods).
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66 responses to “Tell us what you thought of ‘Black Swan’”
Saw it at TIFF and absolutely loved it. My second favorite film of the year behind The Social Network.
I just got back from a screening. Absolutely spectacular. The BEST movie I have seen this year by far, and I think Aronofsky is a true genius. In terms of Oscars? Picture, Director, Actress, Screenplay, please. And if we go crazy, I’d also nominate Vincent Cassel and Mila Kunis.
But will the academy go for it? Some parts were a bit hokey in the beginning and the academy would have to be a little more daring for this to win any big awards, but I think this movie has a chance. It’s time to award Aronofsky for the true genius he is and this is the movie that deserves it the most.
And it’s also time for a true HORROR movie to win best picture! Silence of the Lambs was almost 20 years ago.
I caught this film at the Chicago International Film Festival, so unfortunately I don’t have the time this weekend to see the Tree of Life trailer. But Black Swan impressed me a great deal, though I still prefer The Wrestler. For me, these two films are so fascinating to look at as companion pieces. They both approach the same subject matter in strikingly different ways, and I think that only a select few of viewers will come out liking both films equally.
Movies with more emotional impact tend to hit me harder, which is why I’m in The Wrestler’s camp, but Black Swan should also be commended for attacking pulpy material with force and passion, and still retaining a lot of honesty. It may even be a film that plays better to general audiences just because it is so entertaining, whereas I’m sure a lot of average moviegoers found their patience tested with The Wrestler.
Here’s my full review: http://j.mp/hox9wH
I posted this at HE so I’ll just repost it:
The third act saves the film. Aronofsky finally realized that the movie is simply a B horror film, reminiscent of Argento, and embraces it. It’s only when the Nina loses her complete mind is when the horror aspects are unsettling and the obsessive mother archetype is placed into proper perspective.
It does lack the vibrant nature of exploitation and visual intrigue of Showgirls though. The films are closer than most would like to admit; it’s just a horror version of someone losing themselves within a dog-eat-dog environment. Instead of Nomi rebelling against the sleazy celebrity culture, Nina internalizes it all, and suffers for it.
I don’t see the Oscars going for a full blown horror melodrama. There were a lot snickers and laughs in my audience as well. It was mostly older white folks. Just saying
As for Tree of Life it looks great except for the lame wannabe philosophical poetry. I hope it isn’t as abundant as The Thin Red Line, but I don’t think it will.
Saw this at Telluride. It is the best film of the year!
Just saw. It was gorgeous. It was horrific. It was ‘perfect’.
All the techniques all blended together and meshed so well. The imagery, symbolism, the score. This move left me and the entire theater motionless and in awe as the last image faded.
It is a LOCK for Best Picture, Actress, Director, Screenplay, Score and has a shot at Supporting Actor based on performance. All three supporting ladies, Kunis, Hershey, and Ryder, where phenomenal.
I was in a theater full of old people, and if the academy supposedly is too, then the academy should praise it similarly.
@6 “Just saw. It was gorgeous. It was horrific. It was ‘perfect’. ”
Quoted for life.
Sorry Anettards, no amount of overdue-ess and AMPAS dislike of weird is going to stop Portman winning. It`s done and done. This is performance of the year. Incredible. Absolutely insanely great and so relatable. I mena, we all feel like that under the pressure.
Movie too. Just phenomenal mix of horror, humor, drama. In the perfect world, this and Aronofsky would win Best Picture and I hope the tide turns in their favor cause the movie really isn`t all that weird. There are enough clues for everyone to figure out what is real and what is Nina`s “interpretation” or “halucination’ or whatever symbolism. I really can`t imagine that anyone would go “WTF have I just watched?” Plus, this year was kind to thinking men`s movies – Shutter Island and Inception were huge hits – so hopefully trend continues with Black Swan. Best movie of 2010.
Solid film. Natalie Portman’s best performance to date. I did find it humorous that Aronofsky literally gave himself a round of applause at the end of the film when his name came up.
Sorry but this film wasn’t shot beautifully. The camerawork was nauseating at times, and she was only walking! It was about as bad as Bourne shaky cam.
For the most part of the film the symbolism would smack you over the head. It works ultimately because the film is purposefully over the top and exaggerated, but let’s not act like it’s some deep meditation
i agree with rashad. unlike most movies that make think they could have ended better,
the third act really does save this film. it’s a terrific film and an even better performance.
i really think portman is definitely the best this year, of all the ones i’ve seen. (give or take binoche in certified copy)
speaking of the trailer though, i live in toronto and i watched at the carsity theatre (the only one showing it so far) and there was no sign of tree of life. i was ridiculously disappointed.
did anybody else see it or was that news just fake?
I saw it. I commented on it above. I thought I wasn’t going to get it but luckily it was the absolute last trailer before the film started.
Have not seen the film yet but did see the tree of life trailer.
Needless to say, I’m in love.
rashad and drew,
are you guys in toronto though?
cause toronto was included in the press release as one of the 8 cities…
NYC
What I really liked about Black Swan was something Guy mentioned, that Portman was the best choice for the role because of art imitating life in a way. She has, since the Professional, played mainly “white swan” roles and here Aronofsky demanded she play both, like Cassel in the film.
Winona Ryder who was once the young it girl and then faded fits her character as does Barbara Hershey in way. A great actress that has been working for over twenty years but never became a premiere star or the “swan queen”.
Anyways everyone should tweet at Fox Searchlight and demand that a hi-res Tree of Life trailer get put online. The world needs to see one of the greatest trailers ever made.
“Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” opens in eight cities today, so a considerable portion of our audience finally gets a look at the film….”
Hello. I hate to beg to differ but I imagine a considerable portion of your audience is from small towns with no cinemas (like mine in rural Rocky Mountain Alberta, Canada). Black Swan is the movie I most anticipate. However, being in rural Rocky Mountain Alberta with no cinema, I have to await the DVD. My Oscar coverage is at least a year or two after yours. Fuck, I still haven’t dealt with Crash beating Brokeback Mountain which was filmed nearby, many of the areas I’ve seen on my hikes. Great to hike, then view a movie, and say, “By golly, I’ve been there!” And, if you think ‘by golly’ were the words I uttered, you should be ashamed of yourself. In any case, this old codger still thinks Black Swan (from the previews I’ve seen) is the best movie of the year even though Inception had some scenes filmed nearby. But I probably won’t know for sure until 5 years from now when I’ve seen most of the nominated films. Is there a way old codgers from the remotes of Alberta, Canada can get these screener things for free earlier? Just saying.
Amir-I’m from up state NY. I caught the trailer online. And even in the grainy, viral and relativley poor quality, it still blew me away.
RJL: Dude, relax. By a considerable portion he means more than just the NY and LA crowd, as well as the handful of people such as myself lucky enough to catch the film on the festival circuit (Austin Film Festival for me). Why does that bother you so much? Yeesh.
It bothers him because apparently his town never gets any good films. That would actually bother me. Although what he really should do is just move.
Loved it. Not completely head-over-heels for the screenplay, but Aronofsky and Portman. Wow. And the cinematography, editing, makeup.
CGI was a bit hokey. Screenplay could have used a bit more meat at times. Some of the very short scenes were strange and might have aided the atmosphere to the point of overkill.
But still really really great. Aronofsky really killed it.
Agree with Jake D for the most part…
Really, really liked it. But I feel that, as Nina descended further and further into madness, the film lost its grip on the elegant, ballet-esque grace it operated within for most of the proceedings. Just little flourishes here and there that skewed more “hokey” than “haunting”.
But no doubt, this is Portman’s show. She is utterly captivating (for lack of a better word). The moments following her dancing as “The Black Swan” on stage, as she gathers herself in the wings…. her body language… the way she holds her head, the look in her eyes (behind the CGI)…. her walk… holy hell, it was literally like watching a person transform before your eyes (ironic, as that is precisely what occurs in full fledged CGI induced ridiculousness immediately following – not a slam mind you…). That moment in the wings… It is the moment of the year in film for me. Portman has never been better.
Aronofsky is in complete command here and never for a second do I feel that the film is anything other than what he meant it to be (even if there are moments I wish he had WANTED it to be something different).
I just saw it in LA and loved it, Portman was amazing as was Mila Kunis, this was defiantly Portman’s best performance she not only deserves the nomination but the win.
The show I saw was sold-out, people stayed in their seats silently for at least 1 minute after the credits started rolling. That was the first time I’ve ever seen that happen. One of my favorite films this year.
Visceral. Breathtaking. Immersive. Superb. Absolutely phenomenal. The best movie I’ve seen this year and one of my favorite movies of all time. How truly incredible and impressive an achievement. Natalie Portman deserves all the awards she’s sure to get for this performance, because it is truly a master class in acting. You can’t see anyone but Nina. She IS Nina. Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder are all excellent in their parts as well. Such a wonderful film.
the film lost its grip on the elegant, ballet-esque grace it operated within for most of the proceedings. Just little flourishes here and there that skewed more “hokey” than “haunting”.
If anything the hokey moments were in the first two acts, which still had the horror, and the complete on the nose melodrama, but didn’t let loose and embrace its B movie roots. The third act fully lets go and it’s one of the more memorable films of the year because of it.
Wow. Saw it in a packed theater in DC last night and people were spellbound. Laughing at the right moments (and I do think a few parts are meant to be intentionally funny), wincing at the right parts, and glued to our seats at the end.
Portman was sensational and I also really loved Kunis and Hershey. Arronofsky tells us much through his filmmaking. I’m predicting it as noms for Picture and Director, and probably a win for Natalie.
It’s a stunner…Portman leaps into the front ranks of young American actresses with a bold, daring performance, superbly guided by Aronofsky, one of the great American directors — superb support from Kunis and Cassel, as well as Winona Ryder, looking pinched and bitter — a mind bender that may confuse the Academy — darkly astounding.
Why some reports say this movie is going to divide the audience? 86% good reviews in rottentomatoes means that just a few people didn´t like the movie. So… I don´t understand this debate, otherwise they just want to spoil Black Swan´s chances at the oscars. Btw I saw it Venice, amazing. Oscars for Darren, Natalie,cinematography, costumes, art direction, score, make up, nominations for Ryder, Hershey, best picture and script. My three best this year Black Swan, Inception and Social Network
Neil Miller of Film School Rejects put it best when he said “Black Swan should come with a disclaimer: Dear viewer, remember to breathe during the third act, you might forget.” To put it bluntly at least. Darren Aronofsky has crafted something of a psychological horror masterpiece with his latest film. While I fully expected it to be incredibly taught, intense, dark, edgy, and engaging, I never really expected it to be so much fun. In fact, I would go so far as to say that not only is it the most genuinely terrifying psychological horror thriller to come along in years, dare I say maybe even over a decade, but it’s also the most fun I’ve had in a theatre in years.
The film plays out a lot like a mashup of Roman Polanski’s “Repulsion” and Powell & Pressberger’s “The Red Shoes” in a lot of ways. What makes the film so intense and scary is that there’s no cheesy explanation or exposition for the horrors on screen. Not. Ever. It’s pure visceral psychological head games. Nina is simply losing her mind under all the stress and pressure of being cast as the Swan Queen in her ballet company’s production of “Swan Lake”. In a lot of ways, the way the company director, played deliciously by Vincent Cassell, describes the production of the ballet , stripped down and purely visceral, reflects the nature of the film. It’s all about being in Nina’s head as the story progresses. She hallucinates, and the way Aronofsky combines practical, in camera tricks with visual effects and clever editing is astonishing. It makes for all the more frightening and unnerving and experience. The film moves at such a fast pace that one never feels the time pass. It’s a whirlwind tour de force of filmmaking, with so many thrilling, sexy, scary, “OMG Holy shit did that really just happen or was it all in her head WTF is happening to my brain?!” moments that it’s a miracle actually manages to stay in total control and never once fly off the rails into the danger zone of camp trash it so delicately teeters on the brink of, never actually falling into it. And boy does it ever make for one hell of a ride.
Natalie Portman is nothing short of a revelation here. This is the kind of role we’ve been waiting for her to take on. Something completely different for her, something truly exciting and, not to sound like a broken record, visceral, primal, and intense. We’re as frightened as she is through the whole thing, because it isn’t until the last possible moment in each horrifying hallucination that we see the reality of the situation. Even so, we’re still never certain what is real and what isn’t. But the beauty of the performance is that neither is she. I never once thought that Portman was faking it or really aware of what was really going on. They kind of range she has on display here is simply incredible. Mila Kunis is equally impressive. Her sultry, smoky performance often leaves us wondering if he really is a carefree fellow dancer who is simply trying to extend friendly advances or if her intentions are more sinister than she looks. It’s not a flashy role or performance, very natural and charismatic, as we’ve come to expect from her. All I can say is that I’m not as big on girl-on-girl stuff as most guys, but holy hell this was one sexy film, and the “scene” between Portman and Kunis is hotter than the sun. Vincent Cassell, as stated before, is deliciously oily and, like most of the supporting characters, we’re never really certain of his true motives.
But really, all of this is largely due to the total mastery of atmosphere Darren Aronofsky shows here. From the expert use of sound design, to Matthew Libatique’s twisted cinematography, to Clint Mansell’s seamless mesh of original score and Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” no technical aspect is left wanting. Aronofsky is not only a director willing to do the hard work, but he’s a genius and he knows it. If anything, the film shows that he’s got some huge-ass balls. The film is such a director’s achievement that it’s very clear no other filmmaker could have made it. The way the camera follows Nina in the final sequence as we watch her finally perform on stage on opening night is nothing short of incredible, darting in and out of backstage, following her every move, creating a ballet of it’s own playing with light and shadow, spinning as she spins. The result is stunning, and will leave you absolutely breathless.
I forgot to add that the only tolerable debate here is whether it is a good movie or a masterpiece.
Plese go see it and be amazed
LOL mimi. It’s probably my favorite film of the year just ahead of Inception, but I wanna see it and Inception again before I really settle on that. Still have not seen True Grit, The Fighter, Another Year, The King’s Speech, or TRON: Legacy. True Grit is the only one of those I really see threatening Black Swan for my number one spot but you never know.
Thanks Kevin…
Havent´seen all those, so I have to say those three movies, BS, I and SN are my favourites so far.
I´m quite pissed off with the negative reviews which seem to go against the genre instead of the movie in itself, these are not objective arguments. And I read somewhere someone saying Portman´s performance was horrible… Is this world nuts? You can say you don´t like the genre, the music, or even the melodrama, but, Portman´s stunning turn???
OH my god…
It’s neither good nor a masterpiece.
The finest horror film we’ve had since Silence of the Lambs. Truly shocking, even difficult to watch. Performances are stellar and sharp, across the board. Enough talk about Portman’s commitment to the dancing — how about the fierce unleashing of the black swan in the final ten or fifteen minutes of the film, and the shades of darkness that bow in during the last half. Jesus! I honestly want Annette to own her oscar…but…come ON, people. This is so, so, so Natalie’s.
Yeah the first thing I thought when I walked out of my screening was that Natalie has it sewn up. Bening is overdue, but as Letterman said, no actor really comes close to what Portman accomplishes in this film.
I was left sitting in my chair for 10-15 minutes after the movie…My first words were, “WOW…THAT WAS F*CKING AMAZING!!”
Like better than sex or a roller coaster ride!!
I didnt love this as much as others, it was really silly and campy and this film doesn’t have much to say. Portman does give a committed and daring performance, but I didn’t find it complex or nuanced. It’s very straightforward, but I was impressed by her physical commitment. Still, this year, I prefer Manville, Williams, Binoche and Swinton’s performanace over hers (and she would be tied with Bening in my poll). This film really really lacked emotional impact, it was camp entertainment, sort of a Showgirls meets Nightmare on Elm Street, but it didn’t really resonate with me on any level.
Also, whoever said why are reviews mixed, because there are some very ugly pans of this film from places like the LA Times and the NY Observer and New Yorker. In fact, I don’t think Natalie is winning the LA or NY critics awards for that reason, the two biggest cities had the most dissenters for the film.
Rosemary’s Baby + Carrie + The Red Shoes + The Turning Point = Black Swan. And that’s not a bad thing, either. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and I’m still processing the experience. I need to see it again soon.
Anyone here from the DFW area? My wife and I should be seeing it in Plano tomorrow.
It’s not a masterpiece, but more original no movie has been this year, with the exception of “Enter the Void” (the best film of the year). I think it gets lost in its own genre inscrutability while also being one of the most terrifying films of the year. And Natalie Portman’s performance has Oscar written all over it.
I saw it a couple weeks ago at a USC screening. Best Film of the Year! I absolutely love Aronofsky. I named The Wrestler (to my very own surprise) the best film of 2008 and The Fountain (haters be damned!) is one of my favorite films of all time.
It’s not the typical kind of movie I place at the top of my list. I tend to go for the more epic, but I guess this was epic in its own ways. Natalie Portman just nails this one. Best performance of the year, actor or actress. I want to see Benning win an Oscar, but Portman deserves it hands down.
And the music, that third act… it was an experience. Can’t wait to see it again once my papers are all done.
I found it interesting and entertaining but not a masterpiece. It’s not my favorite Aronofsky. Portman is better here than she has been in anything else. What strikes me from the comments though is that it seems like people want to award Portman the Oscar because of the work that went into the performance. Problem is, you see the work. There isn’t a lot of subtlety or nuance as someone above said.
I think they want her to win because they feel she was robbed for her work in Attack of the Clones.
Steve let’s not exaggerate. Scream came out in between those
a brilliantly intense psychogical thriller filled with all the melodrama, passion, and energy of Nina’s profession. Natalie Portman’s demanding performance is definitely one of the best of the year and the film itself is unrelenting. My audience was on the edge of its seat the whole time; just a striking achievement in audacious filmmaking. Hoping for oscar nods for cinematography and editing
Wow, such high responses. The Reverse Shot guys did not like it, though, which concerns me because I agree with them so often. Although, they have never liked Aronofsky as much as me.
How can anyone not root for Portman win after seeing this movie?
Just saw the film today.
I had high expectations before watching, “Black Swan,” and was anticipating brilliant performances from most of the cast, but especially Natalie Portman. What I got was a respectable, sufficient film but definitely not a masterpiece.
Natalie clearly demonstrated a strong physical performance and aside from her final emotional transformation into the black swan in the end, by far the best scene in the film, her character felt a little too one note. Not that it was her fault, the script didn’t give her too much to chew on other than being a timid, passive, innocent and weak woman-child. It was obvious that she wanted to be a perfect dancer constantly, but why? What made her devote her life THIS much to dance? Other than obvious desire some girls have for the arts there wasn’t a clear motivation to why she wanted to be a great dancer and there was never a moment in the film where I understood who she really was. Unlike, “The Wrestler,” which although was not my favorite film either, I still understood what Mickey Rourke’s personality was like and how he was tormented by essentially neglecting his daughter. I specifically remember that one scene on the beach in which he cried over his lost connection. It was like he took off a mask he was constantly wearing. Natalie never really had a moment like that in the film. She is still worthy of a nomination, but definitely not a win.
As far as the other categories, I doubt that the film will be up for much, similar to “The Wrestler.” If it manages to get a Best Picture nomination, it is because there are now 10 nominations. If there were only 5 nominees for best picture it would have most likely gone to, “The Social Network,” “The King’s Speech,” maybe “127 Hours,” and “Inception,” and either “True Grit” or “Toy Story 3.” That being said, the directors of those five or so films will most likely fill the director category.
This is looking like a one or two nomination film.
Black Swan is the only film that even comes close to Inception for me this year. Those two are in a league of their own as far as I’m concerned (granted I still need to see King’s Speech & True Grit), but I think and Oscar for Natalie Portman is very close to certain, and she absolutely going to be nominated, as will Aronofsky at long last.
The bare minimum:
Best Picture
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Film Editing
Best Supporting Actress (Kunis or Hershey)
If the academy is generous they might also add:
The Sound categories
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Make Up
Best Supporting Actress for both of them
While I can definitely see why some people may not like the film, I happen to think that it was a spellbinding (dare I say the “m” word) masterpiece. Sure the overuse of the “mirror imagery” may be a little heavy-handed on the director’s part but I think it was brilliantly placed and created an identity for the film to exist in. I think Best Actress is Natalie Portman’s Oscar to lose at this point, and I would be rather upset if it didn’t get nominated for the technical categories. But regardless of what awards this movie deserves to win, it has a life to it that is extremely rare nowadays. I could feel the passion that was derived from within every facet of this movie and it came alive on screen. Somehow a duality was achieved in both the lead actress and the director: Natalie Portman was able to give both her most restrained and internal performance as well as her most over the top and physical role at the same time. Just as much as Aronofsky created his most mature and fully-realized film, he was also able to let loose and be a little naughty at the same time. These dualities shouldn’t have been able to be achieved but somehow they pulled it off. I traveled almost 100 miles to see the film (from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC) and it was worth it in every way possible. It surpassed all of my expectations which I couldn’t be happier about. Definitely my favorite film of the year and one that I will see at least 2 more times (if only to see that Tree of Life trailer again as well! ;^P)