Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming psychological/supernatural/who-the-hell-know-what thriller Black Swan has opened the Venice Film Festival. Which means early reviews, and some new images.
Of the five reviews so far, 80% are positive. Here’s what the critics are saying –
Variety -
“A wicked, sexy and ultimately devastating study of a young dancer’s all-consuming ambition, “Black Swan” serves as a fascinating complement to Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler,” trading the grungy world of a broken-down fighter for the more upscale but no less brutal sphere of professional ballet. Centerstage stands Natalie Portman, whose courageous turn lays bare the myriad insecurities…”Daily Telegraph (UK) -
“Powerful, gripping and always intriguing, it also features a lead performance from Natalie Portman that elevates her from a substantial leading actress to major star likely to be lifting awards in the near future. …Tchaikovsky’s music takes on an unsettling quality as Nina’s descent progresses, all the way to the disturbing but perfect ending. Black Swan is an exhilarating if uneasy ride, one that could deliver Aronofsky his second Golden Lion here in three years. 4/5″Hollywood Reporter -
“Trying to coax a horror-thriller out of the world of ballet doesn’t begin to work for Darren Aronofsky. …Black Swan is an instant guilty pleasure, a gorgeously shot, visually complex film whose badness is what’s so good about it… Certain to divide audiences.”
So the movie is about a ballerina and her arch-rival and stuff and scenes of Natalie Portman TURNING INTO A FREAKING BLACK SWAN OMGWTF!!!??? Pretty creepy, huh? Not nearly as creepy as the trailer – here it is in case you missed it.
Black Swan is out in the US on December 1st. I may be in the minority here, but I’m hoping it’s a return to the kind of ambitious, meditative storytelling Aronofsky displayed in The Fountain, rather than the more pedestrian effort that The Wrestler was. How do you think the movie looks so far?
