Black Swan
Darren Aronofsky
2010
It must say something that I have specific memories of each time I saw a Darren Aronofsky movie in the theater.
My dad couldn’t sit through π because the projector was really jittery (it wasn’t the movie, it actually was the projector) and it was giving him a headache. (Also, he fell asleep before that.)
Nathan dragged us to see Requiem for a Dream at Cinemas East, because it was totally unrated and supposed to be really messed up and by the guy who did π! (And then we all said, “holy shit,” and none of my friends ever wanted to do any drugs again for at least a couple days.)
I thought The Fountain was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen and knew that most people would hate it (they did). I’ve still only seen it once but I have images from it imprinted on my brain.
The Wrestler was The Wrestler. Mickey Rourke with the role of a lifetime. I actually still remember the four times I saw the trailer for that movie.
So, at what point do we get to start saying that Aronofsky is one of our great living directors? Do we have to wait another movie or two?
Or does Black Swan push us over the threshold? My goodness. Such intensity and terror. The last twenty minutes (or whatever), when we see the ballet, are among the most thrilling… ever? There are not a lot of extended sequences in film that can match that one. I can name maybe three. It just knocked me the hell out.
I love that Aronofsky doesn’t bother explaining what’s real and what’s not (it doesn’t matter). I love that there are truly frightening scenes in this movie. I love Natalie Portman’s performance, which seems so tortured and conflicted and painful.
I’m not going to analyze what happens. I’m just going to bask in the thrill of this experience. What we see is the total annihilation of self. Sort of. Except that it’s not clear that Nina had a “self,” exactly, before this.
Such power.
Update: Forgot to add this link to a Feministing discussion of Black Swan (h/t Amy Dee) that I thought was pretty interesting. Just one of those things that shows you how many different perspectives can exist. I especially liked the couple of comments on perfection, because I definitely thought about those things while I was watching it.
Update x2: Anyone who’s seen The Red Shoes will note its obvious influence on Black Swan. I really want to watch that one again.
Fletch
Jeremy
Zack!
joshuastough
pfe115
vkoneonefive
You make me want to see what would possibly be the scariest movie of my life, one which I would have to watch through my fingers, which would be covering my eyes whenever they weren’t plugging my ears. The one that would leave me unable to be in the bathroom alone ever again.
Also, Gary:
http://www.garysreallife.com/post/3034808101
From my little personal journal:
We went to the late 10:00 movie last night & saw “The Black Swan” a super dramatic tour de’Force. Visually & graphically stunning would certainly apply here. Music & sound track were so well done and added the perfect compliment to the remarkable visuals. Natalie Portman presented an Academy Award performance as did the rest of the cast. Oh, did I mention the gorgeous dance scenes, so beautiful I wanted to cry! It’s a masterfully told story of a talented driven perfectionist going mad while everyone else tends to their own selfish needs.
* Coming soon: review on Fredville http://evereadyfreddy.com/
hmmm. which three extended sequences are up there?
I’m hoping the hospital fight scene in hard boiled is one of those three…