One Fabulous Mom Movie Review- Black Swan

I had been told over and over that Black Swan was amazing (kiss of death), that it will be an Oscar contender (gonna make me hate it), and brilliant in every way (what a set up).


I didn't like it.


Yes Natalie Portman was believable as a ballerina, the way she had a certain arrested development and a child like love for ballet. The story was interesting, and it was cast well. The problem was, half way through, it turned into a Lifetime Movie. It became so camp, so over the top, I just couldn't hang on. The red eyes, the swan feathers, the mean girl friend, all just seemed too ridiculous to care about. I also don't love being scared, but that's a whole other issue. I was excited to get a real look into the world of ballet. The cut throat regime, the struggle, the politics. They could have gone further without being a movie of the week. It's a fine line between thriller and SNL sketch. (Jim Carrey was amazing in his parody!!)


I guess I will give it 2 out of 5 Cosmos. 


Wouldn't see it again, but only liked some parts of it. Okay, let the ranting begin. Did you like it? Hate it? Why?

14 comments:

Southern Living: Preppy Style said...

Thanks for the review, I was wondering. I had mixed feelings as well since the previews, but kept thinking, it's Natalie Portman so it can't be all bad.

just ask beth said...

Every person I have talked to about this movie said the same thing..just awful!!

Beachy Chic said...

It started out pretty good...then it was a spiraling mess of too much going on! I felt like I had been drugged when it was over. I am one to go see a movie two or even three times when I LOVE it. I will not be frequenting this movie again, at least not till its free on HBO ;)
Now Country Strong....that is a whole nother story! I highly recomend that one and will be seeing it AGAIN this weekend!

Catherine said...

I thought this movie was terrible. I had a hard time believing a tiny little stump of a woman could be a ballerina! There was virtually no character development. Some parts made NO sense - like the time when the mother buys a CAKE! Crazy. It's a waste of time. The story seemingly starts out normal and morphs into a horror movie. Pure crap!

Jen said...

I had the chance to see a screening of it at home on New Years Day with some friends. We all said we were glad to have not seen it in the theater (for multiple reasons) and that we wouldn't have finished it, had we been by ourselves. Natalie Portman was great. Just didn't care for the story - and I agree - Lifetime movie-esque.

Pink in a sea of blue said...

I expected it to be better and was disappointed. Jim Carey cracked me up on SNL. And you saw Sean Penn?? Cool. You need to do a post telling us where you've seen these people. Gary Sinese, too. How neat!

Anonymous said...

LOVED it! The Rodarte costumes alone were worth the price of admission.

bevy said...

I saw the trailer where she pulls a thorn? nail? twig? out of her skin. Gross...

Debra said...

My hubby & sister went to see this over the holidays (I had no interest really). They both liked it but couldn't really explain it to me. They did say it was scary. I am intrigued now but will likely wait for HBO to show it. I think 'Yogi Bear' is more my speed!! It was really cute and fun. :)

Andy said...

Well you KNOW I hated it. People in the theater were actually laughing as the movie went on. And all this talk about her ability to DANCE???? For real????

Beth Dunn said...

Oh no, I really wanted to see it. Now I'm not so sure
xoxo
SC

Eloise said...

I only know of two people who have seen Black Swan, but neither of them liked it. At all.

We saw Blue Valentine last Saturday with another couple (my choice), and I expected to really like it and then didn't much care for it at all. In fact I've liked it less the more I've thought about it because too many things between the past and present story lines seemed incongruous to me. There were also some extended graphic sex scenes that were really uncomfortable to watch sitting next to my friend's husband (even sitting next to my own!). I found out later that the movie was originally given an NC-17 rating. Needless to say, I'm not allowed to pick the movie again for a while!

Thanks for the review on Black Swan. At least I know to pass on that one.

Happy New Year!

Jill said...

I have not seen it and have been told everything you have been told about it and have that same "gut feeling" you do. I probably will have to wait til it comes out for rental - at least I can pause it to refill my wine glass. haha.

Pat & Amy Plus 1 said...

Thanks for the review.....I had mixed feelings on if I wanted to see it based on the trailer. Now I definitely don't think i'll see it. I, too do not like being scared during movies! :)