Having the month long wait from the time it was released on DVD to the time it showed up at RedBox convinced me I wanted to see it.
I'm glad I watched it to see what the fuss was about -- if anything. It's not as "scary" as it's portrayed to be. It's not tame either, but it's not like a scary movie or something. It's more disturbing, at points, than anything else. I kind of think of it as a psycho-thriller (or drama-thriller), where the story's "scariness" comes from the instability of her mind (she imagines things happen when they have not) than the creepy-crawlies that are hiding somewhere. I feel like Signs and The Sixth Sense are more "scary" than Black Swan. There's one gross scene (and, in manners of "gross" it's pretty tame in comparison to what could happen -- she imagines she peeled the skin on her finger for like 3"), some sexual stuff here-and-there (including the "famous" lesbian scene), and some weird mind games where you don't always know till later whether it's true or not. Unlike The Sixth Sense, you know almost immediately (give or take some minutes) that she imagined it. I also must say I don't get the big deal about whether Portman did the more difficult ballet numbers or not. You don't really see them (or it didn't affect me) and I hope the Academy didn't pick her as Best Actress just because of the dancing because I thought her acting job was superb (definitely makes up for Star Wars...). The story is definitely the most interesting aspect of the film. It sticks it to you and you're kind of enthralled watching as Portman's character slowly loses her mind over the role of the Swan in Swan Lake. Grade: A
I have to say, I think it's an interesting choice for the Academy to pick for Best Actress. Most times, Best Actress goes to your normal drama film that's usually depressing or very emotional or something. This one is a drama, but it's definitely more on the thriller end. With that said, in comparison to Nicole Kidman's Best Actress nom and Natalie Portman's, I'd pick Portman too. It's a different role, but she had to be subtle and observable as she slowly loses her mind for the role of the swan in Swan Lake. She also had a pivotal point at the end of the movie where you had to know something in her had changed in comparison to all the practices. So...it's subtle, but important and I think that's what made her stand out (comparing the two Best Actress nom films I've watched so far...LoL).
On the flipside...There is a difference about this movie than King's Speech when it comes down to Best Picture (both were noms). Story-wise, Black Swan -- hands down -- has the more interesting story over King's Speech; however, the difference WHY King's Speech won Best Picture over Black Swan is the overall quality of the film in relation to its actors. I am convinced there are character driven movies and then there are story driven movies. Character driven movies are those like King's Speech where the story revolves around the character and, hence, the actor/actress who plays that role is HIGHLY important to the success of the film. On the other hand, you have story driven movies like the Black Swan where the story is the most important driver and the character helps bring the story to life and the actor/actress is important, but you can fill in the role with almost any good actor/actress. Not to say scripting/casting/directing is any easier in either one, but from a movie-watching perspective, they're slightly different. I feel like Colin Firth was THE best actor to play the role for King's Speech and the movie evolved the way it did because of his acting and who he is. On the other hand, I feel like the Black Swan could have taken just about any well-versed actress and plopped her into the role and it would have done well also. There are always some politicking in who you cast (Natalie Portman is a good choice -- I must admit -- and her worth ethic is well-known, which the movie required), but I can't say that she was THE best pick for the role.
So...with all that said, I like the story better in the Black Swan because of the psycho-thing going on and the intrigue. You're glued to the screen watching to see what happens and trying to discern what is true and what is fake. There's just something interesting and powerful (in a way) about movies that are like that. It's also exciting in the thriller way that keeps you also continually interested. King's Speech is more your classic drama that is character driven and you watch for the acting more than you do the story. Because...let's face it...story-wise, Black Swan is simply much more interesting than a story about a King with a stutter (in basic story plot). King's Speech is so phenomenal BECAUSE of Firth and it could have flopped if they picked a lesser actor. I don't think Black Swan could have flopped if they picked a different actress (say if Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman's roles were reversed). The supporting cast is also important for Best Picture and King's Speech supporting cast was a much higher quality than Black Swan's. And...that is the important difference on why I think King's Speech won Best Picture and Black Swan didn't -- character driven vs story driven. I also think it's the same with Best Director -- directing a character to be the story (I would think) is harder than directing a character to help the story along.
In other musings...I was thinking about all the Best Supporting Actress noms having seen The Fighter (Melissa Leo, the winner, and Amy Adams) and King's Speech (Helen Bonham Carter). I have to agree with the Academy on this too (having missed two of the other movies). Melissa Leo had the more dynamic role than than the other two. Amy Adams and Helen Bonham Carter -- in a lot of ways -- had similar roles as woman to support the main actor as their wife/girlfriend. Melissa Leo was a little more out there and had a much more interesting acting part, I think.
So...So far I think the Academy and I have been on the same page. Well...Almost...I think I'd have picked How to Train Your Dragon as Best Animation (Toy Story 3 pulls the heart strings, but...gosh darn it! I've rewatched Dragon many more times than Toy Story 3) and I'm still amazed at the Social Network's Best Original Score (need to check out the score), but...Oh well. I haven't seen all the films either. :P
Next week (maybe, might be the following week) is Green Hornet and No Strings Attached! Rumor has it that Thor is coming out strong (Portman's in it too) so I'm looking forward to seeing it now.
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