14 DAY TRIAL // Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis will be seen next in “Black Swan,” a psychological thriller that debuted at the Venice Film Festival just the other day and that’s already getting massive awards buzz.
The film is directed by acclaimed director Darren Aronofski, who’s also the man behind the shocking “Requiem for a Dream” and the heart-breaking “The Wrestler.”
It tells the story of an ambitious ballerina (Portman) that feels her place is being usurped by a younger dancer (Kunis) and, judging by initial reaction to it, it will be huge upon release, Entertainment Weekly writes.
Because that’s just the type of films Aronofski makes, “Black Swan” will be a “hate it or love it” release, EW writes, based on reviews after the first screening in Venice.
However, what’s amazing is that even those who say the film aims too high and falls short of expectations were impressed by how brilliantly it was put together and how impressive Portman’s performance in it.
“An ultimately devastating study of a young dancer’s all-consuming ambition, Black Swan serves as a fascinating complement to Darren Arononfsky’s The Wrestler, trading the grungy world of a broken-down fighter for the more upscale but no less brutal sphere of professional ballet,” Peter Debruge of Variety.
Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter says that the movie is “so out there” that only a filmmaker like Aronofki could have ever dreamed of making it and for that alone – and how wonderfully he put it together – he deserves praise.
“As a sensory experience for the eyes and ears, Black Swan provides bountiful stimulation…” Todd McCarthy of Indiewire also says. Nevertheless, the flaws are also there and should be noted accordingly.
“But when the script by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz, based on the latter’s story, struggles to carve out a real-world parallel to the life-and-death struggle depicted in the dance story, it goes over the top in something approaching grand guignol fashion,” McCarthy says.
David Gritten from the Telegraph sees in “Black Swan” Portman’s ascension from serious leading actress to serious awards contender, which means she and the film could be featured intensively in next year’s Oscars campaign.
Rob Beames from Obsessed with Film even says it on paper: “Best film I’ve seen all year… Aronofsky has made his first masterpiece and Portman must now be favourite for the Oscar.”
“Black Swan” opens in US theaters on December 1, 2010, which means it’s still a long way to go until we know for sure whether critics are right in their assertions and predictions.
In the meantime, below is the gorgeous, official trailer. Enjoy.