The O-town Scene

‘Black Swan’ intrigue “Black Swan” is a captivating and artistic film. Director Dar- ren Aronofsky tells the story of a technically accomplished, yet painfully shy ballet dancer’s struggle with becoming the duel-natured Swan Queen in “Swan Lake.” Nina Sayers, played by Natalie Portman, strives to achieve perfection in her dancing, and although her grace, innocence and techni- cality make her perfect as the white swan, her hesitancy to let herself go to portray the passionate and seductive black swan is the impetous for the spiral she goes down by the end of the film. Nina’s drive to be perfect in both roles pushes her far into her own dark side, which is filled with some frightening hallucinations. Mila Kunis is captivating as new, free-spirited dancer Lily, who embodies the emotive, sexual, live-life-on-the- edge qualities Nina lacks. Nina’s obsession with Lily and the pressure of being the main dancer, as well as living with an overbearing stage mother, played by Barbara Hershey, attribute to the implosion of Nina’s inner world by the end of the film. Thomas Leroy, played by Frenchman Vincent Cassel, is the ballet company’s director who sees the potential of Nina to be brilliant if she can only let herself go to portray the black swan. As the stereotypical horndog di- rector, his idea of bringing out Nina’s potential involves lots of tongue and some heavy petting. He also gives the prudish Nina the homework assignment of touching herself. Nina’s struggle to break through her repressed sexuality is a constant in the film, and materializes in a few lascivious scenes, including some girl-on-girl action with Lily. The film is an erotic psychological thriller, and has your head spinning throughout. The commitment and dedica- tion of the world of ballet seems to be realistically por- trayed, and Aronofsky doesn’t shy away from showing the physical tortures that dancers endure every day. The “Requiem for a Dream” and “Wrestler” direc- tor is known for his gritty style, which works in the tutu world, too. He employs hand-held camera work to put the viewer intimately in touch with the film’s characters. Mirrors are used to show layers of Nina’s complex char- acter, amazingly portrayed by Portman, who just won a Best Actress Golden Globe for her work in the film. “Black Swan” will keep you intrigued throughout, but may be a little intense for the average moviegoer. When I saw this film in the theater, the people in front of me got up after it was over and said, “I guess we should have paid more attention.” With that being my only criticism of the film, I liked the movie, and continued thinking about it after I left the theater. It is one of the most intriguing films of the year. _ Christopher Ryder 18 O-Town Scene Jan. 20, 2011 Contributed photos Grade: A

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