Black Swan

BLACK SWAN (2010) - Dec. 11, 2010 (Second Viewing)
Yep, this is a great film, and though I wasn't sure on my first viewing, I'm now fairly confident that this was just as good as (if not better than) the Wrestler.  It's interesting watching this for a second time -- on the first viewing, a lot of the focus is on the mystery of it all, and trying to figure out what is real versus what is imagined.  The second time, knowing that the film is ultimately a portrait of someone who is slowly losing her mind to the immense pressure that she is under, the film feels pretty different.  This is definitely a movie that demands and rewards repeat viewings.  There are so many great things about this film, from Natalie Portman's astounding performance to Aronofsky's direction to Clint Mansell's memorable score -- a flat-out brilliant reworking of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.  I kind of want to see this again.  Right now.  ****