Review of Black Swan (2010) by Phillip D — 15 Feb 2015

Although Aronofsky's directing can be annoyingly ambitious, almost to the point of arrogance, there can be no doubt that Black Swan is his greatest film and probably his only true great hit. While Requiem For A Dream was a bit to abstract for the average viewer and Noah went the way of many horrible blockbusters before it, Black Swan seems to balance the drama and the abstract nature of Aronofsky's directing, due no doubt, in large part to the magnetic and possibly career best performances from Portman and Kunis, who completely carry the film, drawing us in with their well developed and well acted characters.

Portman in particular is excellent as the desperate Nina, whose psychological battles are gripping. A well crafted film in every department.