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'Black Swan' - a Movie Review

The ballet scenes are the most enthralling signature moments of 'Black Swan'

By Marielle SabbagPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Hurry, the ballet of the Swan Lake performance is starting any minute!

Black Swan opened in theaters in 2010. Struggling to maintain her sanity, Nina is selected to perform the starring role in a ballet production of Swan Lake. Feeling the immense pressures, Nina is fully committed to this contrasting role even if it wrecks her sanity.

Black Swan is an enticing yet dark story about a young woman challenging her fragile, child-like demeanor, committing to an incredible and yet overwhelming opportunity. Amongst the dark atmosphere, Black Swan is a film about the insights of mental health and your passion.

Natalie Portman’s performance as Nina was filled with emotion and perseverance! Nina is a very fragile character, letting others empower and even bully her. Portman created a genuine child-like demeanor, despite being a grown woman in her 20s. That is a very important trait that becomes a central part of the meaning behind the film.

I applaud Portman for her extensive training as a ballet dancer, fully committing herself to a beautiful transformation. Portman lost 20 pounds to make a believable professional ballet dancer. She even had to take voice lessons in order to make her voice resemble that of a kid!

I adore Mila Kunis’s role in the film. Lily is a rebel who likes to poke fun at people, even loosening Nina out of her shell. Kunis becomes a central part of Nina’s sanity, either enhancing her jealousy or lingering infatuation. Portman and Kunis had great onscreen interactions developing a friendship, or even something more.

Vincent Cassel’s performance is a mixture of a villainous person taking advantage of his dancers, while at the same time encouraging them to be better. His behavior is very unnerving at times, giving Nina crude advice and insulting remarks. He wants the best out of Nina, but goes too far.

Just from the interactions with her mother Erica (Barbara Hershey), it’s understandable why Nina acts the way she does. Erica is very supportive, even too supportive—to the point where she hardly lets Nina be her own person. Their scenes are packed solid with drama, even raising the question if Erica’s overbearing parenting is the reason for Nina’s distressing sanity.

A multitude of fantastic performers filled the talents of ballet dancers. Each member of the cast worked flawlessly, creating a beautiful result.

The ballet scenes are the most enthralling signature moments of the film! The last half of the movie captured me into this beautiful ballet performance that I actually felt as if I were a member of the audience. The movements, angles, costumes, and makeup in the finale is outstanding!

Darren Aronofsky’s deep and profound direction created a masterpiece of cinematography blending with subtle nuances. Aronofsky’s mature elements such as sexual scenes are very important, as they mark a key detail in Nina’s character.

Black Swan is a very different movie when viewed a second time. I even understood the film better the second time I watched it, even feeling more sympathy for Nina. Nina shows multiple signs that she is in the midst of having a nervous breakdown. What is real? Camera angles sell this disorienting story. Pay very close attention to every detail.

I love how the film follows Nina’s perspective. Nina can’t find a connection with the other ballet dancers that outcasts her from the world obstructing her from being an adult.

Be aware that Black Swan is not a film for all audiences, including sexual scenes and triggering moments about the negative impacts of mental health. Aside from that, Black Swan is an enticing and heart-pounding story about a woman embracing her soul in an excellent ballet performance.

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About the Creator

Marielle Sabbag

Writing has been my passion since I was 11 years old. I love creating stories from fiction, poetry, fanfiction. I enjoy writing movie reviews. I would love to become a creative writing teacher and leave the world inspiring minds.

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