Black Swan: Where does it fall? SPOILER ALERT!!!

Despite some pacing issues at the beginning Black Swan performs like nothing I've seen on the screen this year. Darren Aronofsky really shows why many consider him to be a prolific filmmaker with this one. The story follows a ballerina played by Natalie Portman who gets the lead in Swan Lake only to see it slip away when a younger dancer with the ability to do the part moves in and attempts to steal the role...or does she? That is the beauty of the pacing and hidden clues in the film: Aronofsky builds this unassuming story that becomes a tale of a woman trapped in her mother's failures and her fears while slowly literally becoming the part she always dreamed of playing (as would any dancer).

The cast was superb. So superb in fact that it warmed me to two actresses I've had trouble embracing up to this point: Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. To me Natalie Portman began and ended at The Professional. This has changed my mind and convinced me she is indeed and outstanding actress and dare I say a modern Audrey Hepburn. Mila Kunis suffered simply from reminders of her TV yesteryears on That 70's Show. Again I'm proved wrong by not a new performance for her but a convincing one that really helped push Portman's lead. Vincent Cassel really rounds this cast out with a real fire and wit in his performance.

All in all I still have a few more films to watch before giving my complete verdict but thus far I'm decided. Black Swan had its meandering moments but I think overall Aronofsky beautiful film with plenty of engaging moments and times that really make a viewer like me smile. From beginning to end Black Swan is a joy to watch.