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What is real and what is not? This is the intriguing dilemma set forth by Brooklyn-born director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler, Requiem for a Dream) in his newest effort, the Golden Globe-nominated Black Swan. His twisting, psychological thriller is cinematic brilliance headlined by an Oscar-caliber performance from Natalie Portman.

Set within a prestigious New York City ballet company, Black Swan begins as demanding artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel, Eastern Promises, Ocean’s Thirteen) is recasting the lead in his version of Swan Lake after the company’s prima ballerina (Winona Ryder) has been forced to retire.

Nina Sayers (Portman) is in the middle of her career and this could be her last shot to capture the coveted role of the swan queen. Leroy is impressed with her tryout as the white swan but has no confidence she can also play the black swan. However, Leroy picks Nina anyway with the hope that he can get her to break out of her shell.

Leroy is often exasperated because Nina is an emotionally fragile, sexually frigid woman who pursues perfection to a fault. It doesn’t help she has a smothering mother (Barbara Hershey, Hannah and Her Sisters) who is an ex-ballerina. With the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis, The Book of Eli), a free-spirited ballerina from San Francisco, Nina’s grip on reality begins to tragically slip away as she becomes consumed by paranoid-fueled hallucinations.

What’s not a hallucination is Aronofsky’s consistent pacing as he creates tension much like a classical composer does crescendoing up to a piece’s climax. He has also clearly done his homework about the ballet world and its demands of the human body. Sure, some amount of dramatic license was probably taken, but nothing in the film ever comes across as phony or poorly conceived.

Aronofsky’s skills as a director shine even further because of the outstanding performances delivered by his cast. Portman, who recently received a Golden Globe nomination for best actress, is sure to be among the favorites to win an Oscar. You forget its Natalie Portman on the screen. Instead you see this pitiable woman gradually succumb to the pressures of her occupation, not to mention those placed upon her by herself and her mother. Portman already had some dance training before this role and should be admired for pulling off a believable portrayal as a professional ballerina. Mark Wahlberg has been getting a lot of credit for his multi-year commitment to being physically ready to play a professional boxer in The Fighter. The same amount should be given to Portman as well.

Additionally, Kunis is surprisingly seductive as Nina’s rival/friend and was justly rewarded with a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actress. Hershey is also mesmerizing onscreen with a gripping portrayal of a rather unstable mother who may harbor some resentment that she gave up her career for a baby.

Simply put, Black Swan should be on your must-see list.

On a letter grade scale from “A” being excellent to “F” for failing, Black Swan receives an A.

Black Swan is rated R and has a running time of 100 minutes.

Now showing through December 23 @
Tivoli Cinemas
Westport Manor Square, 4050 Pennsylvania, KCMO
Visit www.tivolikc.com or call 913-383-7756 for more information.

Glenwood Arts
9575 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS
Visit www.fineartsgroup.com or call 913-642-4404 for more information.

By Michael D. Smith

Indie Film Editor

Michael D. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri followed by a Master of Arts in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Inspired by such critics as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Michael started reviewing films in 1992 for College of the Ozarks's student-run newspaper. After returning to the Kansas City area in 1994, he continued film reviewing by writing for the Cass County Democrat Missourian in Harrisonville.

In 2000 Michael joined Sun Publications in Overland Park, Kansas where he served as its film critic and Arts and Entertainment Editor. During his tenure there, he was also the film critic for the "Fine Arts Radio Hour" and "Celebrity Scoop" radio shows on KXTR. After leaving the Sun in late 2002, he became the A&E writer for the Olathe News in Olathe, Kansas. He also worked as a freelance writer for The Squire in Leawood, Showcase Publishing in Lake Ozark, Missouri and the Kansas City Star.

Michael is currently a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, a professional film critic organization established in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser.

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