The Black Swan

RELEASE DATE: 20th January 2011

   - Driven to the point of destruction, this ballerina won't let anything get in the way of the 'perfect' performance, including herself.

Black Swan is a thriller starring Natalie Portman, French actor Vincent Cassel (The Apartment) and Mila Kunis (best known for her character in 'That 70's Show'). Supporting actors are Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder who plays an ageing ballerina (receiving much credit for no more than a fleeting role).

Director Darren Aronofsky appears to be exploring similar themes in this film to that of his most recent success, 'The Wrestler'. In both films the lead characters are self-destructive and obsessed with their careers and at the end of each film we are left wondering if either character survives the brutal treatment they inflict upon themselves.

The story of 'Black Swan' begins and ends as a nightmare. Natalie Portman plays 'Nina Sayers', a young hard-working and conscientious ballerina, desperate to win the lead in 'Swan Lake'. Mila Kunis's character 'Lily' contrasts greatly with that of Nina. Lily has a carefree attitude towards Ballet and Life but poses a real threat to Nina's ambition. Vincent Cassel's character Thomas is the director of the Ballet Company and is unconvinced that Nina is able to play both parts of the lead role in Swan Lake. Nina is a natural for the role of Princess Odette, The White Swan, innocent and virtuous but the role of the Black Swan, Odile, is more of a challenge. It requires Nina to connect with her dark and sensual side, something that comes more naturally to Lily and not unrecognised by the director. Eventually winning the lead, Nina is constantly taunted by the director who undermines her ability to play the Black Swan in an effort to encourage her performance. This backfires enormously and contributes to the deterioration of Nina's mind. 

Barbara Hershey is good in her supporting role of a former ballerina and over protective mother of Nina. She is the first to highlights to the audience the fragility of Nina, as we watch her nurture and care for her daughter whilst actively encouraging Nina's innocence. As the story unfolds we witness the punishing routine Nina put's herself through to reach perfection and we see further signs that her mind is slowly deteriorating. Vision's and hallucinations begin to take over Nina's reality in the race to embody the character of the 'Black Swan'.

Blue Valentine

RELEASE DATE: 2nd November 2010

 - Ryan Gosling's is brilliant as 'Dean' and certainly worthy of Oscar attention...

Blue Valentine is a bittersweet and harrowing portrayal of the disintegration of a young couples love for one another. The film begins in the family home and alternates between the past and present, highlighting the contrast between a young love blossoming then slowly falling apart. Heart wrenching and wretched, the two main characters, Ryan Gosling as the intense and enigmatic 'Dean' and Michelle Williams 'Cindy', play the unhappy couple.

With such intensity and truth, the two actors performances almost make you feel uncomfortable watching this personal tale unfold. As we discover from progressive flash-backs, this relationship was likely doomed from the beginning with hints from 'Cindy's' parents and Dean himself, that although talented and artistic, this may not be enough to keep Cindy satisfied.

A last ditch attempt at rekindling their love and saving their marriage is initiated by Dean, with disastrous consequences as they spend the night in a cheesy 'Motel of Love'. It's exruciating to watch as one person opens themselves up and the other remains distant and clearly 'out of love'. But don't be dettered from seeing this film because of the last few paragraphs. There are lighter moments in the film during flashbacks to the early days of the relationship, where Dean courts Cindy in an undeniably charming manner, that bring a smile to your face. Michelle Williams and particularly Ryan Gosling, shine in their performances.

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Fair Game

RELEASE DATE: 25th November 2010

- Entertaining as well as disturbing, that this story is fact not fiction.

'Fair Game' has Sean Penn and Naomi Watts starring together again (they previously acted together in 21 Grams & The Assassination of Richard Nixon) in an action packed thriller based on a year in the life of former CIA agent Valerie Plame.

For those of you who don't remember the story, Valerie Plame was caught in the cross-fire of the US government's action to justify 'The War on Terrorism'. Valerie was sent to Iraq with a team of experts to uncover the 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' which were at the time, motivation for the US military invading Iraq.

In accepting and carrying out her misson,Valerie encourages the sister of an Iraq Scientist whom was apparently hired to work on the 'Weapons of Mass Destruction', to contact her brother. In exchange for the risk taken by the Scientist and his family, Valerie promises to help them escape from Iraq.
Throughout the remainder of the film we see Valerie wracked with guilt for the families she has put at risk overseas because of her failed mission and whom she is unable to save because her employment has ended at the CIA.

Sean Penn plays Valerie's husband a former Ambassador and activist with fire and passion, who also assists Valerie with some of her work and spends the rest of his time presenting lectures at University and trying to clear his wife's name. Although Sean Penn's role was pivotal to telling the story of Valerie Plame, I felt he lent little depth or interest to the story, regardless of the fact that he has a magnetic screen presence.

A little light on the script the film was interesting nonetheless because of the subject matter and reality of the story. The film also serves to shine light on the never ending list of dangerous and deadly secret's that the George Bush Junior government held and also helped me justify my sometimes uncomplimentary thoughts of the US government past.

Naomi Watts plays the lead role with feeling however her contribution to the film was unremarkable and I felt that any number of Hollywood actresses could have done equal if not more justice to the role.

http://www.charisse-movierevue.blogspot.com/