Film reviews
Men In Black 3
It’s not a sequel that needed to be made, but thanks to the charm of its leads and a tone that harks back to the wit and humour of the original, it’s a pretty enjoyable trip.
Bel Ami
The excellent female support cast saves this patchy effort, which is let down by its leading man and a flat screenplay.
The Dictator
A disappointing, often repulsive and mean-spirited mess of a film with seemingly only one real criterion on its agenda: to shock and offend.
The Woman In Black
Packed with atmosphere, this old-fashioned but deftly told ghost story delivers ample chills and thrills.
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Black Swan (Film)
Rating: MA
Running Time: 103
Country: USA
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder
Distributor: Fox
Release Date: January 20, 2011
Film Worth: $18.00
FILMINK rates movies out of $20 - the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worthWhile it’s no crowd pleaser, this visually stunning thriller glides on Aronofsky’s visceral direction and powerhouse performances from the entire cast.
In this sexually charged psychological thriller from Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler), the tension starts building early, from the moment we meet young ballerina Nina (Natalie Portman) and her suffocating mother (Barbara Hershey). What can be revealed about the plot here may not sound riveting - dedicated dancer scores lead role in Swan Lake and has conflicts with other dancers, her instructor and her mum. To say any more would spoil things. Suffice to say, this is not a New York ballet movie, although it's set in that world. And it's not a supernatural thriller, but it feels like one. It's a mind puzzle - and Aronofsky is always several steps ahead of his audience.
Powerhouse performances, seamless special effects, and a snaking plot - spiced with Tchaikovsky and lesbian sex - drive this challenging, suspenseful film. Portman is flawless as the fragile and friendless Nina, whose bedroom is filled with stuffed toys and little girl artifacts. The actress' ballet moves are so convincing (a real ballerina double was used only sparingly), that you'd think that she moonlights for a ballet company.
Mila Kunis (The Book Of Eli) impresses as Nina's free spirited rival. Vincent Cassel (Eastern Promises) is sensational as the manipulative dance instructor. Winona Ryder, although appearing only briefly, is brilliant as the ageing prima donna Beth, who is dethroned by Portman's Nina. An almost scary Barbara Hershey - an ageing mirror image of Portman's Nina, her hair pulled into a severe bun - is exceptional.
This is no crowd-pleaser. It's not easy to emotionally connect with these characters, but they do compel. Selected as The Venice Film Festival's opening night film, the stylised Black Swan is a visually beautiful and sonically stunning exercise in fear and paranoia. Immediately after seeing it, you may find that the world looks a little more sinister than it did 103 minutes previously...
