Film review: Black Swan
Rating: * (out of 5)
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Although this has been regaled as one of Natalie Portman’s best roles, sadly this is actually quite a sick movie that myself and others walked out of. Natalie Portman (who plays Nina Sayers) is given the role of prima ballerina to play both Odette, the White Swan and Odile, the Black Swan although, being more kind and sensible, she is perfect for the role of the White Swan. Within the movie, she replaces the prima ballerina Beth McIntrye (Winona Ryder), and Lily (Mila Kunis) is her understudy with whom she begins a twisted rivalry and friendship, and also she must fight against oppression from her obsessive, former ballerina mother Erica Sayers (Barbara Hershey) and her overbearing and sexually sadistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassell).
Although the costumes are beautiful and recently won awards at The 13th Annual Costume Design Guild Awards (February 2011), the plotline is trite and very unpleasant. Worth skipping, to be honest – one is better off seeing a ballet in the theatre or on television.
Further information:
Black Swan (IMDB)
