Sixteen guys for the Group went to the Gateway yesterday evening to watch The Black Swan, a serious psycho-ballet thiller and Academy Award vehicle for its star Natalie Portman.
The film captures the beauty and tragedy of the sacrifices ballet dancers must make for the sake of their craft. Set within the highly competitive and secluded world of a New York City ballet company, Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as Nina, an emotionally fragile, perfectionist who still lives with her overprotective mother (Barbara Hershey). When the company’s director decides to “retire” the company’s aging star (Winona Ryder) in order to find a new soloist for his upcoming production of Swan Lake, Nina seems a shoe-in for the part of the timid and virginal White Swan. But in order to become the soloist, Nina must also be able to play the dark, seductive Black Swan.
As the night of the ballet’s opening draws nearer, the pressures on Nina escalate. What begins as neuroses easily explained by a stressful job and a repressive mother soon blossoms into a much darker psychosis: she hallucinates, indulges bloody fantasies of self-mutilation, and grows increasingly paranoid. Yet even as her fervent dreams begin to invade waking life, Nina is dancing the Black Swan better and better.
Some of the Group thought the Film was brilliant. The narrative was tight, and Portman’s acting was worthy of the Oscar buzz being generated. The film truly captures the brute physicality and the emotional stress of becoming a leading ballerina. However, some found the movie confusing and at least one of the Guys from the Group fell asleep. However, I was mesmerized by the film and was continually at the edge of my seat.
For me, The Black Swan was intense & enjoyable. Certainly on my list of Best Films for the Year. I give it 4 out of 5 stars… AND an Oscar nod to Natalie Portman.
Eight guys from the Group went to Peter Pan after the movie.
– Bob R.
POZitive Attitudes 
Thanks Bob for the insightful review. I had a different take on this film. I thought it was pretty boring because, while I enjoy watching ballet, I have about as much interest in the inner workings of the ballet world as I do in the details of the canned soup industry. Also, II had to put so much energy into trying to determine which parts of the film represented reality and which parts were hallucinations that it interfered with following the story. The best part of the film for me was hearing the wonderful Swan Lake music by Tchaikovsky.
Great review and information. Sorry I did not make the group movie night, but now I am sure to go see this film. Thanks!
This is probably one of the best films I have seen this year. I thought it was brilliant. I can’ t imagine how anyone could fall asleep while watching it. I was totally immersed in Nina’s life and her struggles to be perfect. Everything about it touched me and drained me. Highly recommend!
This will probably also end up as my movie of the year. I was totally captivated by it, everything just felt perfect and I liked the small use of elements that reminded me of horror movies. Stunning performance by Portman and definitely a must see for everyone.