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’”
Absolutely loved it. Probably the best movie I’ve seen so far this year (although I’m still waiting for True Grit, so I’m not going to make the claim outright).
Watching the film, you are undoubtedly aware you are in the true hands of the master. Most filmmakers wouldn’t even dare attempt to combine elements of horror, melodrama, and psychological character study into one film, but miraculously everything is handled delicately well. Aronofsky certainly has a best director nomination sewed up, in my opinion.
As far as Natalie Portman, she unquestionably gives the breakout performance of 2010. She is astounding in this film. I have to agree with everyone who said that she nailed the third act. I mean…wow. The scene with her backstage before she dances on as the black swan…one of the most impressive moments on screen I’ve seen all year. I don’t see how she can lose the Oscar, as far as awards prospects go…
…and it’s seriously distressing to not see Mila Kunis getting some awards attention for this role. She was fantastic–sexy, mysterious, sinister, subtle–this is a great, great, performance. Winona Ryder & Barbara Hershey were also impressive too.
P.s. I saw this at 11:10 a.m. and the theater was PACKED. This was on opening day, and the evening showings for the film were already sold out. This is going to do some serious business this weekend.
Black Swan is the Best Film of the Year! Natalie Portman gives the most pivotal performance I have ever seen. Everyone at the movie theater in New York City were spellbinded by the end. Give Darren Aronofsky the Oscar now!
do we know which 8 cities?
@ 50 ” I happen to think that it was a spellbinding (dare I say the “m” word) masterpiece. ”
Yes, you can. M word is absolutely appropriate here.
I liked it enough but perhaps wasn’t crazy about it. I loved the acting and techs, and felt the film had a killer ending. But while the film was always entertaining, aside from the ending I never felt it was approaching greatness. Overall I’ve been disappointed with Fox’s year end awards slate compared to last year where I loved Crazy Heart and Avatar and the year before with Slumdog and Wrestler. Though Black Swan is worth seeing, unlike 127 Hours IMO.
Interestingly, the theatre seemed to have very different reactions to the movie. Hearing and talking to some people after it, some loved it, some were like me where they liked a lot of things but weren’t crazy about it, and some (including my sister) felt it was awful.
Also, while I only caught the end of the Tree of Life trailer as I was coming in, I have to say the film looked much darker than I was expecting.
Saw it in San Francisco, where the whole crowd laughed when Mila Kunis pulled the pill from her purse and said “this shit from San Francisco is extra strong!” The packed theater also collectively sighed when Winona Ryder first came onscreen… like “there you are! We’ve missed you!”
Loved the film, but NO Tree of Life trailer at the Angelika in Plano, TX (at least not on my screen). Really pissed me off. Asked the guy from the theater about it on the way out and he looked at me like I was speaking Arabic through gills in my neck. Idiot.
Very, very good, especially the last 20 minutes or so where my heart was pounding out of my chest. Thought Portman was sensational, some of the symbolism in the first half a bit overdone, but pulled together in the end in what was clearly a passion project for all involved. Good show.
And “The Tree of Life” looks like a knockout. Can’t wait.
I liked it, and I feel it’s the kind of movie that I’ll like even more with repeated viewings. I was especially impressed with Natalie Portman’s performance, but I thought Mila Kunis was right behind her. She was terrific.
And unfortunately I walked in as the Tree of Life trailer was finishing… sucks. I saw a bootleg version of it but it would have been better to see on the big screen. Looked pretty good based on what I saw.
(DC viewing) Black Swan = The Red Shoes + Psychosexual Tutu Hysteria. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Tree of Life looks pretentious and overly long … just like all of Terrence Malick’s other movies. Stab me in the face if I have to sit through it.
It’s my 2nd or 3rd favorite film of the year. I liked it, but didn’t love it. It’s better than the Social Network, but not as good as Winter’s Bone. But after hearing a very vocal old lady AMPAS member complaining about how stupid it was (this during, of all things, a screening of the entirely more stupid and rediculous, “the Tempest”)… I think it’s not so bad.
I don’t envy anyone who didn’t like Black Swan. Black Swan was everything. To those comparing it to Showgirls – well on a purely superficial level they’re comparable. For me BS exposes SG for the trash it really is. SG has the audacity to be 2 hours and 2 minutes before the end credits appear and Black Swan is a brisk roughly 95 minutes before its end credits appear – there’s something to be said for ending a film before it wears out its welcome. People use to defend SG because the level of hatred thrown at it was unjustified. SG is Verhoeven’s second worst American movie after the hollowness of Hollow Man. If Annette is losing the Oscar again it better go to Portman. ***1/2 – My favorite movie of the year.
It’s actually 108 minutes.
Just add 9 additional minutes to 95 before the end credits appear it evens out.
Black Swan was visually striking but way too campy for me. At least one absurd, lewd or overwrought moment for every interesting one, and Aronofsky’s use of “jump” scares was unforgivable.
Best movie I’ve seen this year. “It was perfect”