Black Swan *****

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Year: 2010

Writers: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin

Cinematographer: Matthew Libatique

Visceral. I was unsettled. I flinched. I got lost in it, yet the precise use of symbolism was, like in The Fountain, not complicated, but simple, logical, clean. Every single decision Aronofsky made here made sense to me. I like that he let the audience experience her psychosis, her fear of the endless series of little pricks that put her and us on edge, fearing little things, making us feel stress and anxiety... just, perfect I thought. Another great film from Aronofsky who for me has really solidified himself as one of the best directors working today... he is consistent and I have loved every single one of his films; there aren't many directors of whom I can say that. I hope he gets the best director nod this year. And Natalie Portman blew me away. Until now I was always on the fence about her acting, but wow, she really deserves the best actress for this. I bought her in every scene, every emotional transition, from the "white swan" innocence, fear, anxiety, frailty in a dangerous world surrounded by dark figures... to her psychotic transformation into the "black swan" who embraces and becomes part of the dark world of the ballet company... I was really impressed. This will join my dvd collection someday.