movie review.
The Black Swan, released on DVD and Blue Ray on March 29 by Fox Home Entertainment, has generated a great deal of critical praise and popular attention during its release in theaters. Certainly the performance of Natalie Portman in the role of a ballerina whose big break turns into a descent into madness and death richly merits its widespread praise. Ms. Portman is absolutely brilliant in a very difficult role. Her performance goes far to redeem what would otherwise be an unrelievedly depressing movie.
The ballerina’s slide into hallucinations and paranoia is not fun to watch. The film does not explore the causes of this deterioration. It simply presents it as it occurs and is a179 minute trip into a catastrophic personal Hell. One might almost classify it as a slasher movie for intellectuals.
One false note I could not help noticing was the total absence of any obviously gay characters. Granted the movie is entirely about the ballerina herself and does include a fantasy lesbian affair among her hallucinations, but the male dancers who figure briefly, here and there, all seem to be straight. Come on! This is a New York ballet company at Lincoln Center! I have some personal experience here and I can absolutely assure you that not many of those boys are straight!
If you are getting the impression that I did not like this movie, you’d be correct. Yes, Ms. Portman was brilliant, especially in the riveting last half hour, and there was some excellent dancing to be seen, but overall, it was very depressing, a bit mystifying and in places, a little boring. In fairness however, I must mention that critics in general do not agree with me about this film. See it for yourself. You’ll either love it or hate it but it will get a reaction.
Fox Home Entertainment (Catalog # 2271506 U.S.)
movie review.
The Black Swan, released on DVD and Blue Ray on March 29 by Fox Home Entertainment, has generated a great deal of critical praise and popular attention during its release in theaters. Certainly the performance of Natalie Portman in the role of a ballerina whose big break turns into a descent into madness and death richly merits its widespread praise. Ms. Portman is absolutely brilliant in a very difficult role. Her performance goes far to redeem what would otherwise be an unrelievedly depressing movie.
