Black Swan

Mankiewicz on LSD. In a good way.

Next time you think ballet is for pussies, you better watch this film. Those graceful beautiful anorexic ballerinas are full of venom and jealousy and spite and hate.

Kudos to Aronofksy for making this film vibrant, exciting and interesting. I mean, it's like 'All About Eve' meets 'Fatal Instinct' meets 'A Nightmare on Elm Street.' Because, yes, there are some spooky moments (come on: how can you not cringe at the skin peeling thingy?). And yes: there are moments full of hate and yes: there are moments about jealousy and being all that you can be. And fuck: Did I actually use the word 'vibrant?!'

Paranoia is rampant, as are self-doubt and jealousy. This is a psychological drama at its best, and having it set in the ballet world makes it way more interesting than in the theatre world (as it was at first). Why? Well, because you don't imagine ballerinas being so fucking evil. And sexual. And mean.
And sexual.

I don't understand how, from making a film pretty mcuh everybody in the world and beyond agrees was absolute shit, you get to have Cassel, Portman, Hershey and Kunis in your next film. Kudos to you, Daren, you crazy bastard you. You bounced back from your pretentious cunty period of 'The Fountain' (with all due respect).

Portman is perfect, and somewhat typecast, as the vulnerable do-gooder with a fucked-up mind. When she looks sad, you just want to hug her. And when she doesn't look sad, you want to do other things to her. Or is that just me? Nah, it ain't just me... I know at least one other person who agrees with me...
Kunis is great as the bitch-fatale and Cassel is great as the sleazy French guy. I saw him in LAX last August, waiting for his luggage as I was waiting for mine. I looked at him, he looked at me. He scared me. Then again, I had seen him as Mesrine not long before, so that's understandable.
Vincent, dude: you get paid to kiss Natalie and Mila and you go home to Monica. I'm not saying I'm jealous, but... No, okay: I'm jealous.

By the way, special mention to Mr Mansell, with his perfect music, as always. The best thing, the only good thing, about 'The Fountain' was the incredible score. In 'Black Swan,' the score (thanks in part, let's be honest, to Pyotr Ilich) is just as good and complements the images even better.

Yes, I am saying I liked this film. I have a feeling it will be wildly popular at the Oscars and Golden Globes, so I should wax lyrical about this, but I won't. Okay, the end doesn't really explain much, even though you go 'ah ha!' but yes, but no. But that doesn't matter.

I liked it, it was interesting, well acted, well done. What else do you need?

Yeah, okay:  I'll be honest...
Mila Kunis goes down on Portman!

Oscars all around!