Sorry....but I think Black Swan is vastly overrated...

[HardWorkingDem]

For one thing, the director insults the viewer by constantly reminding the viewer of the plight of the Natalie Portman character. Next, her acting is vastly overrated in this flick. She shows about two emotions throughout (and I love Natalie Portman)...

And lastly, there isn't much in this flick that we haven't seen before (though the Black Swan make up is interesting)....

[tigereye]

1. yeah, it's been done and done- but a lot of folks haven't

seen any Bergman (or other!) films... :D


I agree with you, but I thought her acting was pretty good. Not Streep-caliber, but pretty good. Personally, I think Annette Benning should win.

[solara]

2. I totally agree about Annette Benning...

But I think it is a done deal for Natalie..

Unfortunately

:hi:

[6000eliot]

3. I heard it's really sexist, but I haven't seen it.

[Skittles]

4. I absolutely agree

it's a standard-formula film in makeup and tutus

[MilesColtrane]

5. So, did Natalie win Best Actress for her acting, of for her willingness to modify...

her body for the part?

There seems to be a history of Oscars going to actors who gain/lose weight or undergo extreme makeup and prothesis modification for their roles.

[XemaSab]

6. I totally disagree

I thought there was a lot of subtlety brought to the role.

[slay]

7. I agree too. Natalie was OK and Mila Kunis was good too

but the movie was nothing special to me. I know others loved the movie - not me.

[EOTE]

8. That wasn't the only insult to the audience.

It seemed like Aronofsky was also trying to constantly remind us that we're watching a meta-film. That we're watching a film about the production of "Swan Lake", which also parallels the events of "Swan Lake". We get it, we didn't need to be beaten over the head with it. I was disappointed in the movie too, but I still thought it was above average. I'd give it three and a quarter stars.

[Demoiselle]

9. I really dislike classical ballet.

It seems so cold, so self-absorbed, so claustrophobic. I'd rather watch tangos. Or gymnasts.
I've been moved by a ballerina's performance exactly once. I saw Natalia Makarova dance Giselle a thousand years ago. At one point in the story, Giselle realizes she has been cruelly betrayed by her lover...and Makarova's reaction was to appear to break in two. Literally. Snap in two, like a tree branch. I have no idea how she did it, but it was breathtaking.
It's always seemed to me that a great art form should have many more great moments like that...but I've never seen another in ballet.
Black Swan captured everything I dislike about ballet. (See list at top of this comment.)
No wonder she went nuts.
That said, I thought Natalie did fine work.