Babe town, population: one.
Babe status at an all time high! Mila for Dior.
Black Swan
There is only so much I can say about this without giving away all the juicy details, but there are a few things that must be discussed.
1) Darren Aronofsky, you crazy motherfucker. There are a lot, and I mean a lot, of WTF moments in this movie as you try and decipher between reality and delusion. Natalie Portman transcends the character of Nina, turning her from the fragile, innocent White Swan into the wild, seductive and quite honestly, fucked up Black Swan. The transition is slow, but it works, as we slowly begin to see the pure insanity arise. The imagery is completely mental, and there are points in the film that are actually difficult to watch. You quickly realize that the movie is part drama, part psycho-thriller, part horror.
2) Vincent Cassel. Goddamn it, he is so good as the dominant, arrogant, sexy French ballet genius. He is so dominant in fact, that at times you are afraid of what he is about to do. And yet, he is probably the most humourous character in the whole film. While Mila Kunis, playing her traditional sexy/cute role, has some choice funny moments, it is Vincent Cassel’s Tomas that masters the love/hate dynamic with the audience.
3) Holy sex scene. Let me tell you, if you show up for Black Swan just to see Natalie and Mila get it on - you will not be disappointed. Although it’s a little disturbing (not the actually act of them together, but the fucked up mind tricks that go on during it), it’s kind of intense to watch. It’s almost pornographic - but not lude or objectifying in the least. It’s pure and total lust and it’s symbolism brings the whole transition from White Swan to Black Swan together. So, if you’re wondering…it’s pretty hot.
4) Natalie fucking Portman. That’s all that needs to be said. Oscar? Yes plz.
5) Winona Ryder. Oh, hey girl! Although her role is small, it is very well done. Her character, Beth, is a total psycho but she acts as a foreshadowing for Nina. It’s nice to see her again, though, and she totally nails it (no pun intended…see the movie, and you’ll get that one).
Ultimately, this is the last must-see movie of 2010. We already had Avatar, and Inception and probably a couple other blockbusters, but Black Swan is a fascinating (and presumably far lower budget) film that, if nothing else, leaves you speechless as you try to wrap your head around Aronfosky’s re-visioning and re-telling of the classic Swan Lake.
