Natalie Portman: The Performance of the Year
Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky’s unflinching swan dive into the world of artistic expression, is a mirror with multiple foldings. It is about a dancer who strives to be perfect, haunted by her own reflection, which emerges at the worst times. It is about a daughter who is a reflection of her terrified mother who looks at her and sees her young self, but also sees her daughter as something she created, and therefore owns. It is about a student who yearns to fulfill the expectations of her teacher because she is a reflection of his own creative ability. It is about an actress who is fulfilling the demands of her director who requires nothing less than everything. It is about a film that reflects a play-within-a-play — it IS Swan Lake as they DO Swan Lake. And finally, it is about a film that strives to fulfill the critical, judgmental eye of its audience. It is all of those things at once and more. Black Swan may be the best film of 2010.
Natalie Portman has hinted at being a versatile actress, willing to go deep to access the emotional soil for a part, but never has she committed this fully and completely, giving herself over as actors sometimes do – Robert DeNiro is Raging Bull, Meryl Streep in Sophie’s Choice, Vivien Leigh in A Streetcar Names Desire, Charlize Theron in Monster, Marion Cotillard in La Vie En Rose, Dustin Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy (Tootsie, Rain Man, etc.) These are those rare occasions when the actor is eclipsed by the character, the performance that then reaches something more than likable, believable; it becomes moving art.
Not only did Natalie Portman, as director Aronofsky said at the premiere last night as he introduced the cast and crew to the audience, live like a ballerina — ate nothing like a ballerina, danced herself into a sweaty froth hours upon hours every day — to the point where her back muscles are visible through her skin; when she lifts her arms they look like feathers pinned down – but somewhere in there she found both her white swan and her black swan, even if it seemed at times that she would fall to pieces because of it. Portman became the character in such a way that the film’s theme IS her transformation. It is often that we see an actress in such complete command of her character the way Portman is here – mirroring Nina’s complete control of the dance, which again, mirrors everything else.
Black Swan is an unforgettable two hours because it is the rare movie that gets better as it evolves. It just gets more and more intense until it pushes itself to the edge of absurdity and you think: what in god’s name is happening to this woman? And in a moment of true genius, the film rises in climax, hits its mark perfectly and ends, just like the ballet Swan Lake. You don’t even know what’s happening to you, in fact, until the film ends and suddenly the cloudy waters become crystal clear. Or do they? It doesn’t answer any questions but reflects them back to you. It’s Orson Welles’ The Lady from Shanghai. You look one way, you see one thing. You look another way, you see many things.
I have to admit that I didn’t think Aronofsky could pull something like this off, and my thoughts always lead me back to Portman. Without his “little princess,” his Swan Queen, this is still a good movie, but it isn’t a great one. The supporting performances are all magnificent, especially Barbara Hershey as one of the scariest mothers ever put to film, but Winona Ryder, Mila Kunis and Vince Cassel as well. Hershey and Ryder are particularly well cast – beauties that once captured the hearts of audiences, now working in out in their later years. Both play those kinds of characters, which makes it all the more delicious. And Kunis, with her spider-like tattoo and palpable sexuality -the black swan if there ever was one, provides the perfect contrast to Portman’s white swan.
One of the many things I loved about Black Swan was that, for once, a woman was given the more complex role: she wasn’t serving the purpose of, necessarily, titillating her audience. Of course, that is what the part of the black swan required, and what audiences are expecting from Portman as her hands slide down her body and she begins to moan in pleasure, or try to connect to that place of desire and abandon required of all who give themselves over to sexual release. The audience is waiting for it but we only get it sometimes, never fully because to do so would be to give away that which can’t be given away. Portman’s Nina isn’t given over easily – the spirits that haunt her regularly are at the surface as she tries to forget being “perfect” and to let herself go. The masturbation scenes, the sexual fantasy scenes – these are not put there to excite us, although they briefly do just that, but they are there to deliver yet another dimension to Nina’s transformation from white swan to black swan.
A woman with sexual complexity isn’t explored as much as it should be. Usually they are one thing or the other: frigid or loose. But here is a woman who is struggling with so many things at once – growing up, embracing her dominance as the Swan Queen, quieting the accusations of other jealous dancers, her own needy mother, her own needy self – all coming forth scene by scene, each one more terrifying as the film unfolds. Portman plays her so brilliantly, covering her face with a creamy veil to mask the fear. She has never looked more beautiful – all of the fat shed from her face to reveal her own perfect bone structure. The camera loves her face, and for almost two hours that is what we see: Nina’s perfect face masking the collapse of an identity underneath. There are flickers of conflicting emotions – anger, crazy desperation, severe anxiety, jealousy, lust – but always the steely focus of a dancer whose moment has arrived, for better or worse. Nina gets there, even if it almost kills her.
Black Swan is, in many ways, Portman’s show. But Aronofsky is one of those filmmakers who know what all great artists know – some of whom act on it — there is a dimension to art that is ugly. When one decides to take the plunge down the rabbit hole and into the darker pockets of the human psyche, one must be prepared for what one will find there – and do one’s best not to pretty it up for the sake of its viewer. No, there is a truth in Black Swan that Aronofsky was not afraid to confront. And that truth speaks to us all if we’re ready to listen to it. Ambition, ego, identity, sexuality, power, dominance, success — perfection.
And so it is with this, that we have our black swan, our white swan and all of her lovely and ugly shades in between. In the end it’s hard not to think of Lolita, when Kubrick dressed up Lolita for her play — the frightening vision of her eyes as she briefly but powerfully tastes her own potential. Aronofsky takes that tiny moment and makes it into his masterpiece.
Vincent says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 9:54am
I look forward to this, definitely!!
However:
“Robert DeNiro is Raging Bull, Meryl Streep in Sophie’s Choice, Vivien Leigh in A Streetcar Names Desire, Charlize Theron in Monster, Marion Cotillard in La Vie En Rose, Dustin Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy (Tootsie, Rain Man, etc.)”
I love reading these kinds of lists, just to get a sense of what people find to be the best among the best; so, WHY is Hilary Swank’s performance from “Boys Don’t Cry” not listed here? Her performance in that was/is still one of the finest things I’ve ever seen on film…sorry, soap box moment…
Dominik says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:00am
Wow, Sasha, I´m very happy you liked it that much!
This will be a helluva race between Portman and Bening!
Therefore, the big question is for me: Will this be the “veteran-year” or the “breakthrough-performance-year”? What do you think? Has Natalie a realistic shot to overcome Bening´s “overdue-factor”?
Joe W says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:06am
So Sasha, are you reversing your position on Annette Benning winning the Oscar that you also gave an enthusiastic post about?
Jesus says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:09am
Sasha, you nailed it. I didn’t know what to do myself when the film ended. I was devastated, elated, inspired, and emotionally drained. Natalie Portman and Darren Aronofsky rocked it.
Joey says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:10am
So. Effing. Excited.
Ibad says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:10am
I hear people constantly going on about how much “women” won’t like the film, where do you think those statements come from?
Ryan Adams says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:15am
re: #3
I love how some people try to cross-examine us about our genuine emotional reaction to films and performances as if we might slip up and incriminate ourselves in a court case.
I’m relieved that lawsuits can’t be filed against us when we get pinned down by prosecutors. On the other hand — if we could file charges against each other’s opinions then we’d be able to sue for harassment.
Sasha Stone says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:15am
I have to add here because I didn’t want to put it in my review – my “performance of the year” claims don’t usually pan out with Oscar wins: Mickey Rourke, Colin Firth for last year – just because Natalie’s is going to be the best this year doesn’t mean she’ll win. Winning the Oscar means a lot of things that have nothing to do with the performances — media appearances, showing up at everything, acting like you really want it, how much they like you, how much they like the character — but Portman simply cannot be denied when it comes to who gave the best performance. I can tell you this without flinching: she gave the best performance, male OR female of the year.
the other mike says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:23am
great review sasha. cant wait to see it, thanks for agreeing with my prediction that natalie got the oscar sewn up.
Amanda says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:24am
Sasha do you think Portman’s performance is better than Williams’performance in Blue Valentine?
Brian Whisenant says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:27am
Ryan I am totally suing you!!!
Jeez, I really need to get to work but have been waiting for this post all day.
The performance can’t be denied. It is incredible. I just hope every critic group names this Best Pic so the Academy takes it seriously.
It’s been a while since I was really emotionally invested in the Best Pic race. (I am always invested…but you know what I mean) This is going to be one of those years.
TVKel says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:31am
Sasha, this review deserves an award. I’ve never wanted to see a movie more based on a single review alone. Thank you for film knowledge that spans past movies released in the 1990s like tons of other reviewers.
Ryan Adams says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:34am
people constantly going on about how much “women” won’t like the film, where do you think those statements come from?
From people who hang out with the type of women I try to avoid?
Michael says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:37am
What a fantastic and exciting read. Brava, Sasha!
Jesus says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:37am
Ryan, I couldn’t agree more. I’m always tentative to show my true excitement about a movie or a performance for fear of being judged and ridiculed. But every once in a while, a film comes along and I become its most loyal advocate and let my enthusiasm all hang out. Black Swan and Portman’s work in it is one of those.
(Now the trick is to not set impossible expectations for others and have them nitpick the crap out of it.)
Ryan Adams says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:41am
Jesus, if this movie is polarizing — as truly great movies always are — then your loyal advocacy will be put to good service over the coming weeks.
cheers.
Dominik says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:45am
If Jesus loves this film, despite it´s lesbian sex scenes, I am willing to believe the older Academy members will embrace Black Swans dark sexuality too!
Marya says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:51am
I really cannot wait to see this film. I’m so glad Natalie Portman is living up to her potential again.
But after reading this review, I’m also kind of afraid to watch it!
I remember watching Requim For A Dream and thinking, “this film is really great, but I don’t think I could ever watch it again.”
Do you think this is more like Requim, tone-wise, or The Wrestler or The Fountain?
Or is it a completely different tone altogether?
Casey says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:54am
DYING to see this
Brian Whisenant says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:56am
I felt the same way about “Dream.” And still haven’t seen it again. But with Black Swan I needed to see it again. And did, literally, the next day. And will see it even more times I am sure.
Afrika says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:57am
Performance of the year? good lord.
Dominik says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:04am
Lord is great, Afrika-let´s cross fingers for Natalie, shall we?!
yvan says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:08am
um. the performance of the year? possibly the best film of the year? are you serious?
i dunno, i like my movies to have some originality, to bring something new to the table. i went into ‘black swan’ with certain expectations and the film never once surprised me. it was exactly what i thought it would be. nothing more. so i was bored. it was like aronofsky put ‘repulsion’, ‘la pianiste’, ‘persona’ and cronenberg’s body horror musings in a blender, threw in a pervy graphic lesbian scene and shot it.
it will be remembered in a few years so the most overrated movie of 2010.
phantom says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:09am
I couldn’t agree more. The film is a masterpiece and Portman’s performance is one for the books and arguably the best of 2010. And that’s a huge accomplishment considering how many brilliant performances are this year.
I really wanted Bening to win the Oscar first for American Beauty, then for Being Julia (she was a strong contender, top2, on both occasions) and I still want her to win, but strictly based on performances, I would give it to Portman this year. 10 nominations should happen for the film (picture, director, o.script, actress, s.actress, score, cinematography, editing, costume design, make-up).
Dooby says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:20am
This sounds so amazing – this has been my most anticipated film all year.
I’m hoping despite all the uncertainty around the ‘how-will-the-academy-take-it’ factor that at least Natalie would emerge victorious (if not the film, not exactly academy award winning subject).
I was wandering to all the people who have seen the movie, has Mila Kunis got a shot at a nomination?
TheGoogooboo says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:33am
This is like the 4th review Sasha has written this year about a film that she considers utterly moviegasm inducing. Being a longtime reader of hers, I’m used to seeing her really rave about 1-2 films per year, *not* four lol. But I think it’s a testament to how great 2010 is shaping to be in the annals of film history. I thought I would be content with having another 1a/1b year (The Social Network + Inception) but it looks like I will have to reconsider and wait until I finally watch Black Swan.
For me, Aronofsky is a filmmaker whose work has shown he’s not afraid to push the envelope in investigating what makes people tick. His films effortlessly dive straight down into a singularity of the human condition that is often ugly but always unforgettable and captivating. As a result, Black Swan will probably elicit a very polarized response among critics and moviegoers, though that’s nothing new with Aronofsky (w/ the possible exception of The Wrestler). But that’s what truly great films do: they drive the discussion about what really constitutes brilliance in filmmaking, as well as the age-old debate about the fine line between genius and insanity.
2008 was a auteur-ial cocktease with Nolan, Fincher, Aronofsky, and Boyle flirting with the Oscar Best Director lineup. Though three of them did get in, hopefully this year we get all four + the Coen Brothers (in which case my Dream Team of Oscar Best Director nominees would be complete lol) or Hooper (haven’t seen King’s Speech, but loved his work on John Adams).
Harry says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:41am
Sasha! I’m so excited! Thank you for this entry.
…so this is random, but I was thinking about Social Network and its Oscar chances, and suddenly I thought of The Pianist…while I’m in agreement that The King’s Speech is on its way to a more-than-possible BP win, Social Network is starting to look like a Pianist surprise in the Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay categories. Could Jesse Eisenberg be the Adrien Brody this year? And could Fincher nab a sole director Oscar for a film that might be too chilly for a BP win.
Just a thought.
Anyway, so excited about Black Swan. Really throws a wrench in Bening’s chances doesn’t it…
mickey says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:03pm
Can’t wait to see this! For great examples of actors giving over to the role and creating moving art, in addition to DeNiro in RB, Streep in SC and Leigh in Streetcar, I’d add O’Toole as Lawrence,
Hepburn in Long Day’s Journey and Taylor in Virginia Woolf.
Joe W says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:06pm
Ryan,
I wasn’t trying to do a “gotchya”. Simply asking Sasha how she now feels about Benning being the best female performance of the year since she also gave it very enthusiastic support.
R.M. says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:30pm
Amanda: This article’s title is “The Performance of the Year”, so I would guess that Sasha does think that it’s better than Michelle Williams’.
Alper says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:34pm
Natalie’s Oscar chance is increasing. (DAY BY DAY)
Sawyer says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:40pm
You don’t even know what’s happening to you, in fact, until the film ends and suddenly the cloudy waters become crystal clear. Or do they? It doesn’t answer any questions but reflects them back to you. It’s Orson Welles’ The Lady from Shanghai. You look one way, you see one thing. You look another way, you see many things.
Interesting. That’s exactly the way I felt after watching The Fountain for the first time.
Love that Aranofsky.
Linda says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:58pm
This review makes me even more depressed that AFI was such a clusterfuck and I didn’t get in even though I got tickets the day they became available.
I don’t understand how (or why) they gave out SO many extra tickets that TWO THEATERS couldn’t hold everybody.
daveylow says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:59pm
@ Harry
No, Jesse Eisenberg will not be the Adrien Brody for this year.
Black Swan is one of the few contending films I haven’t seen yet.
Both Kidman and Williams give more exciting performances than Bening in The Kids Are All Right. I may add Portman to that list soon.
I still need to see Naomi Watts in Fair Game, too.
Sasha Stone says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:01pm
Again, I didn’t say Natalie was going to win. Trust me, if the Academy had THIS good of taste a lot better films would have been winning over the years. They are progressing but it’s slow. And honestly I don’t have a problem with Bening winning – as I said, I thought she gave the performance of her career in a film I really loved, The Kids Are All Right. But Natalie Portman’s performance is one of the greats. It is way way up there. Not many actresses allow themselves to go where she went for this.
unlikelyhood says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:02pm
I see a pattern. Once again the Best Actress winner could/must come from the “tenth” Best Picture nominee. What do I mean by tenth? We collate all the major predictors on the day before the nods, and whichever film makes the BP 10 despite being on the fewest of those lists, that’s the 10th. No doubt last year it was The Blind Side. Not a shred of doubt, really. Sounds like Black Swan may find itself in a similar position – and oddly with a similarly appropriate title.
Would Bullock have won if The Blind Side wasn’t a BP nominee? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s funny, there was a feeling that the expansion of the category didn’t really mean much, that the only real contenders were the ones with Director nods, that it would have been Avatar-Hurt Locker-Basterds-UITA-Precious last year anyway, so the whole thing was really just extra decoration, more tinsel for Tinseltown. I’m guessing Bullock and the producers of The Blind Side don’t feel that way, though. And right about now, neither does Darron Aronofsky or Natalie Portman.
Afrika says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:09pm
“The film is a masterpiece and Portman’s performance is one for the books and arguably the best of 2010. And that’s a huge accomplishment considering how many brilliant performances are this year”
- Phantom
The best actress race has become so predictable over the years. The beautiful young actress enters the scene with a star vehicle in which she had to lose weight or learn ballet or uglify herself or don a blonde wig or pick up a country accent or sing her own songs. Everyone is so impressed by her ability to look ugly or thin or learn ballet. She wins. She goes on to star in rom coms and other questionable movies. Meanwhile the “losers” like Annette and Streep, continue to do solid work year after year.
*sips tea*
Looks like the tradition will continue this year.
Mike Wazowski says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:09pm
Once again Mike Wazowski gets edited off of awards daily. But we know how much he loves this site because he CAYANT STAY AWAY!
jorge says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:12pm
alper u finally going to accept this year its natalie´s year????
because she is so winning for this
sorry old lady bening fans she is gonna lose again…
daveinprogress says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:25pm
It is very exciting to, at this point for me, vicariously enjoy the buzz of films like this through this site. It fuels my passion and enthusiasm for film, without the hard sell and manipulative devices of trailers and biased promotions. From a passionate writer – her instinctual but considered response to a new film and potential masterpiece. Thank you for posting it – that is what film culture is all about. I too am frothing to see Black Swan. As someone who has been going to the movies for more than thirty years, to witness the rise of so many great young actresses Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Lawrence, Saoirse Ronan, Sally Hawkins, and the exquisite Natalie Portman – gives me hope for cinema’s future storytellers and interpreters. Portman for the Oscar!!!
D.Z. says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:39pm
But how does it compare to Perfect Blue?
Mark says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:42pm
What a mouthwatering review, Sasha. Can’t wait to watch it.
phantom says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:49pm
unlikelyhood
The only problem with your theory that Black Swan IS a critically acclaimed film, arguably a masterpiece. Blind Side wasn’t. Black Swan COULD be a top5 player, Blind Side was lucky to get the 10th slot. Bullock gave a good performance but strictly based on performances there were better ones in her category. Portman gave a GREAT performance that will be hard – if not impossible – to top this year. Think Cotillard’s Piaf meets Theron’s Monster – kind of performance. She deserves an Oscar for it. And I am a HUGE Bening-fan, I really, really wanted her to win first for American Beauty and then for Being Julia. Needless to say she was top2-contender on both occassions. Needless to say she lost out to to a twentysomething actress’s physical performance on both occasions. And unfortunately this year could be the third time that happens. BUT Portman really was better this year, simple as that.
nic says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:51pm
If all the reviews are this strong Portman should be able to overcome the due factor.
Off topic but The Dark Knight Rises has given it’s official list of female lead role contenders and Portman is on it. Along with Keira Knightley, Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts, and Rachel Weisz.
I don’t think it will be Lively due to her already having one super hero movie lined up.
These are the contenders for 2 separate roles so given the ages I figure that Weisz and Watts are competing and the others are against each other.
Ryan Adams says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:57pm
ok, Joe W — my mistake if I thought there was an element of “first you say one thing and now you say another thing” to your question. Because you should know that Sasha never said Bening gave the best female performance of the year.
A careful reading of Sasha’s post “Bening’s Time” will not uncover any sentence where she ever says Bening’s performance is the best of the year — in fact, Sasha takes great care to offer a specific caveat: “I haven’t seen Natalie Portman in Black Swan yet, but from what I can tell, I think we are really and truly looking at Bening’s win…”
Anyone who’s clearly familiar with the post about Bening should be able to weigh the amount of praise we see there with what we read today. For me, it’s obvious that last night’s premiere for Sasha was an experience that far supersedes her appreciative feelings about The Kids Are All Right — so I’m surprised anybody has to ask how Portman’s performance stacks up against Bening’s. See what I mean? That”s why I mistakenly thought I felt a challenging tone to the question.
On top of all that, Sasha knows better than anyone that an Oscar win depends on more than giving the best performance. Do we have to look any farther back in Academy history than 2009 to prove that? And while everybody else was incensed and hyperventilating last year about the mediocrity of The Blind Side, Sasha never wavered in predicting Bullock’s victory, right? So there’s another answer to your question about ‘Best Performance’ vs ‘Most Likely to Win’. Even the most casual Oscar watcher knows there’s very little correlation between the two, right?
Afrika, can I ask: Are your eyes rolling because you’ve seen the movie and therefore have any logical reason for crying out to the Lord? Or is the eye-rolling a permanent affliction and Black Swan simply the ship to which you’ve decided to attach your barnacles this year? Just want to be clear for everybody which end of your digestive track you’re talking out of today, ok?
[Aside from Afrika] we all write about our opinions based on what we’ve seen thus far, right? And if we see something today that causes us to adjust the feelings we had yesterday, we shouldn’t need to apologize or explain something we said earlier. Don’t we want our opinions to evolve in synch with the new revelations we discover?
Just seems to me that there’s no contradiction at all between the Bening article last week and the Portman piece today. Both performances are great, but one is greater than the other. One will get a boost from traditional Oscar politics and the other may not.
One thing’s pretty clear: Nobody is saying The Kids Are All Right “may be the best film of 2010.”
So what’s more important? Carrying a movie that’s one of the 10 or 12 finest of the year? Or carrying a movie that may be one of the 10 or 12 finest of the decade?
Dan M. says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:05pm
Natalie could capture quite a few critics awards, but even that isn’t a slam dunk as we saw with Sally Hawkins winning the Globe and some important critics awards and then shut out of the Oscar nod.
But with a very enthusiastic review by Sasha here, it looks like she’s more likely in than not.
As much as I liked Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bone and the good words that have been said about Michelle Willams, I wonder if Oscar will play it safe and go with the A listers this year… Bening, Portman, Kidman, Swank and Lane. They have played it safe many times before. Don’t kid yourself.
Craig says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:07pm
I love how everybody just ignores everything Afrika says anymore. He is so predictability I knew exactly what his posts were gonna say before I even opened this thread. Change the fucking record. I agree with what someone said on another thread. Afrika, you are themost boring thing about the Oscar season.
HaroldsMaude says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:09pm
Sasha’s glowing review may not be a prediction of Portman’s win, but it’d be OK with me, if her primary competition was Bening. I really admire Bening and believe that she’s got an Oscar coming. One day. But the Kids Are Allright is not that film. She was excellent to be sure and maybe I’m colored by my lack of love for the film overall, but in comparison to what sounds like a knock your socks off starring performance that Portman has offered, it’s not her year. That said, I have great faith in the Hollywood political machine that will give Bening the make up win. And that will be OK, really. Sad for Portman, but that’s how it goes.
So, in a couple months from now,I wouldn’t be surprised to see critics writing:
Should win: Natalie Portman
Will win: Annette Bening.
phantom says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:11pm
Afrika, for the record, I get your young/old theory, check #19 here
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2010/11/drowning-in-beauty-black-swan-website-goes-live/#comments-wrap
Matt Mazur says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:13pm
This is absolutely the most exciting film and performance of the year!
Glad to see the love for the supporting cast, too. Hershey’s work here is subtle, simmering and scary. I hope she makes it to the final five next year…
Pilgrim says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:21pm
Beautifully written review, Sasha. I love Annette and loved her in TKAA (a film which, incidentally, I think is overpraised), and now am so looking forward to seeing Natalie. This one couldn’t be higher on my list.
Robert says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:21pm
Both Bening and Portman are great in their respective performances. I tend to look at it as if they both went beyond what they usually do in their films (Bening in a family dramedy-toning down her usual work, but in a stronger, effective way); Portman going all out their in a strong psychological thriller. I feel they are both strong, but ultimately based on precedence and politics, I still expect Bening to prevail.
phantom says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:22pm
“we all write about our opinions based on what we’ve seen thus far, right?”
Ryan, I hope you are not starting with me again
I’ve seen a lot of films long before its official release dates at the London Film Festival (Never let me go, Conviction, Another Year, The King’s Speech, Black Swan, Biutiful, Somewhere, 127 hours), I’m not talking about Black Swan in general, I actually saw it. Oops, if you didn’t mean me, sorry, just wanted to clear things. I mean I had to convince you last year that I actually saw Blind Side, as well.
Alper says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:23pm
@jorge
She deserves an Oscar….yes!
jennybee says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:46pm
Beautiful writing, Sasha. Love it when you write about films that really reach in and grab you by the heart. Or throat. Whichever the case may be.
Mark says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 3:24pm
I don’t think I’m alone when I say that The Kids Are All Right is overrated, and not that special, really. Bening is good in it but not worthy of an Oscar considering the competition, really.
David says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 3:41pm
“sorry old lady bening fans she is gonna lose again…”
If you dont think Bening will win the Oscar fine, but why throw in the stupid ageist comment?
Dan M. says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 3:41pm
This was a well written piece. It’s not like most of the ones you read by critics that just use a plethora of big words the average person doesn’t know. Just tell me the in’s and outs of the film please.
Sasha’s piece is personal. You can just feel her enthusiasm towards the film. I bet it’s her favorite of the year since we only have about 6 weeks left.
This piece didn’t feel like a movie review and maybe that’s why I liked it as I don’t read many anymore. I just go to the movie and go from there. But this has me actually anticipating it when I originally had it low on my list because it didn’t read like a movie review. It’s was more like I was watching the movie through Sasha’s eyes and ears.
daveinprogress says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 3:51pm
Perhaps I am going off the topic slightly, but re Black Swan’s chance of Best Picture, even if Portman, Hershey, Kunis receive nods and Aronofsky gets recognized, the last time a female driven pic won the top prize was Chicago (which felt like a predominantly female narrative), and before it, nearly 20 years to Terms of Endearment. I would love the proliferation of boys own pics to be broken. A study of female sexual complexity is just as compelling as the worlds of Departed, Hurt Locker, No country – granted i am hurling apples and oranges around together!
unlikelyhood says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 3:52pm
Phantom – I agree with you in terms of quality. I was even naive enough to put money on Meryl Streep last year because I was bored stiff by Bullock in TBS. However I’m just talking in terms of raw stats, and I think you will see Black Swan as quite the ‘bubble’ film in terms of BP nominee chances this year. If Kids are All Right gets that BP nod and Black Swan doesn’t, watch the blogarati move to Bening over Portman for the win. Last time Aronofsky got someone a Best Actress nod, he didn’t get a BP nod, and his Actress predictably lost to someone whose film DID. Yes I know those were different circumstances…but it just adds to the stat that says “BP nod helps actors to win their categories.”
phantom says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 3:58pm
True, a bp-nod helps an acting contender, I just simply stated Black Swan is a much stronger bp-contender than a lot of people think, and it could emerge as not only a second-tier bp-nominee, but a serious top5 contender, as well. It has at least 1 acting nod in the bag and at least a few technical ones, with decent shots at the directing and writing categories and with all that, I simply cannot imagine it wouldn’t get in in a 10-slot-system. Actually I think it will be a top5 player along with The King’s Speech, The Social Network, Inception and The Way Back. I would add 127 hours, but it won’t be a serious contender with such a recent Boyle-sweep, it will probably get the nods, though.
sakul says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:15pm
So, Portman in Black Swan >>> Bening’s performance of her career ? :/
Well, now I’m even more anticipating both of these films!
Sonny says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:22pm
Sasha
great review… the only problem is, that you have said the exact same thing of at least
-Inception
-The Social Network
-Black Swan
and maybe The Kings Speech, i dont remember your review, but they are all THE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR.
Im pretty sure by now THE FIGHTER is going to be THE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR… and then True Grit too…
Sam says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:26pm
She didn’t say this was the best film of the year. She said Portman’s performance was the performance of the year.
Dave says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:34pm
I TOLD YOU ALL. PORTMAN IS WINNING THE OSCAR. I WIN A COOKIE.
Mac says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:38pm
#2 says:
Therefore, the big question is for me: Will this be the “veteran-year” or the “breakthrough-performance-year”?
It will be the breakthrough-performance-year. The Academy has only ever given a 50-something a Best Actress award once (Shirley Booth for Come Back Little Sheba).
Seeing how Portman and Bening are currently in a two way race, Portman has the edge and 52-year old Bening will just have to wait until at least 60.
Emanuel Levy wrote an interesting piece about this years ago.
Alan of Montreal says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:51pm
Afrika, can you ever make a statement without sounding so patronizing towards others? I haven’t seen Black Swan yet, and I really liked The Kids Are All Right (though I can’t say I loved it), but every time I read your posts it just oozes with such ugly smugness that I just can’t take your musings seriously anymore. Criticism is fair and balanced; condescension is insulting, immature and petty.
daveinprogress says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:52pm
I can’t argue with Mac’s stats, but is it a process by which 5000 or so academy members look up the age of the 5 nomninees each year and will vote for a sixty something and seventy something, but never a fifty something? Sarandon was 49 when she won hers, Shirley Maclaine the same. Trends are one thing, but you seem to make it a group think intention on masse by thousands of disparate voters. Never say never. Until this year, a female director had never won, nor a film with such low box office, before 2002 no woman of color had won Best Actress, in 1976 Finch won a posthumous competitive Oscar – a first. The trends get broken. Bening has far more going for her than the ‘curse’ of being in her 50′s. If enough voters consider it her time, and enough people respond to her performance, there is no reason that she can’t win. If enough people are blown away by Natalie’s performance – she gets it – and we can argue that Bening was the victim of such a curse – but as with any of the Oscar theories, they are only that – postulations. Each year arrives with its own set of dynamics and sentiments. Despite the eternal apples and oranges of it – the machine produces the players that are weighed up against one another.
Dan M. says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:09pm
I keep forgetting that Frankie and Alice will get a NY/LA film release in December as an awards qualifier. We can’t totally count at Halee Berry at this point.
Ryan Adams says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:31pm
me: we all write about our opinions based on what we’ve seen thus far, right?
phantom: Ryan, I hope you are not starting with me again
ha, not trying to start something at all, phantom. Just trying to stop something. Trying to encourage people to please stop sneering if we say we love Inception in the summer, and then we love The Social Network in the fall, and then maybe we love Black Swan or True Grit in the winter.
How is it hard to comprehend that we might say one movie is the best we’ve seen all year (in July), and then maybe another movie is the best we’ve seen all year in November?
Anybody who thinks keeping an open mind to new developments is a logical fallacy and deserves scorn is not worth arguing with.
Nope, phantom — I only meant exactly what I said: “we all write about our opinions based on what we’ve seen thus far, right?” We can only write about scripts we’ve read or movies we’ve seen, and those are the only useful contributions in a comment.
The emphasis I wanted to stress is “thus far” — because isn’t it admirable and advisable to have a willingness to refine our opinions as time passes and as we learn more?
I’m just tired of people saying, “Hey, you changed your mind since last year!” or “haha, You loved a whole different movie 2 months ago!” Well yeah, because I’m not a stubborn donkeyass. Things change around me, and I fucking adjust to those changes.
m1 says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:33pm
This film’s box office will be huge. It could end up being The Silence of Lambs of this decade (disturbing film that is well-made and hits $100+ at the box office). As for Natalie Portman, well done. Well done.
As for Afrika, could you see the film(s) before judging? Sometimes a young skinny actress could actually give a great performance.
russen says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:47pm
Wow thanks sasha for your review! This looks like it will be great. I don’t think the box office will be huge but it will be decent this is a type of film I’m sure while get critically praised but it will divide audiences just because the subject matter.
Tero Heikkinen says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:47pm
As a huge Bening-fan I can accept someone else winning if the performance is truly better. I think the best should always win, throw due-factors aside.
In Best Actress -category it is pretty much 50-50 when they award the best of the nominees.
Aronofsky can give his leads acting nominations, but they have not won yet. Ellen Burstyn – we all must agree – was way better than Julia Roberts. What happened there? Yeah.
I will cheer for Bening until I see Black Swan and if Portman’s performance turns out to be the better of the two, then I’ll change my mind.
Sasha Stone says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 5:48pm
Sonny, when one sees a movie one can declare it the best movie of the year so far. I said about Black Swan that it MAY be the best film of the year, did I not? That doesn’t mean I’ve said I thought it was. Inception came out early – calling it the best then was a no-brainer. Finally, I am still of the mind that The Social Network is the best. I have not wavered from that position. 127 Hours, Black Swan, Inception, The Social Network ARE the best films of the year so far.
Sonny says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 6:09pm
Thanx Sasha!
Maybe i misinterpreted your review…
Either way im pumped to watch this film…
Billy Buddusky says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 6:11pm
Sasha, your analysis is perfect. Now will you please go tell that knucklehead Guy Lodge that he’s making a public embarrassment of himself by not even including Portman among the actresses most likely to get a nomination? He’s Fox News dumb.
unlikelyhood says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 6:21pm
Phantom I hope you’re right that it’s not one of those bubble films. I was looking over the current predictions and you may well be right – great, it’s about time Aronofsky got his.
Vincent says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 6:22pm
Afrika’s problem isn’t that Portman is a skinny, young actress. It’s that she’s a skinny, young, WHITE actress…
If she was a skinny, young, “minority,” he wouldn’t be complaining as much…isn’t that right?
phantom says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 6:40pm
Thanks, Ryan, I clearly misunderstood. And I don’t get the problem, either. It would be very sad if there were only one performance and one film to love every year.
Meredith says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 6:44pm
Oh wow – what a great read. Thanks Sasha – I cannot wait to see this.
After 30 years of Oscar watching, I am now at a point where I unfortunately don’t get a chance to see all of the Oscar contenders anymore. I blame it on this breeding problem I’ve had for the last 8 years. Anyway, I do sneak out when I can and thanks to your rave – I’ll be in line for this the weekend it’s released in my city.
Big Barbara Hershey fan too. She always seemed so different from a typical Hollywood actress – in a good way. Can’t wait to see her.
jams1234 says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 8:31pm
Sash. I think I love you!!!! Thank You for this spot on review!!! I’m glad you loved the movie too!!
Afrika…..sorry to disturb your tea time. BUT….
How do we know Portman is not the Bening or Streep of the future?
I adore Queen Streep but some would say, after she won her first Oscar she went on to a few questionable roles. Then as you put it she reached the point where she continued to do solid work year after year.
How do we know Portman will not do the same??? Why do you begrudge her the opportunity?
I TOTALLY understand thinking a Bening Steep Dench etc performance is ALWAYS worthy of an Oscar. If Steeep is in the race SHE DESERVES the Oscar. That DOES NOT mean another cannot deserve it MORE.
It would not be any more fair to just hand the Oscar over to the veteran then it would be is to just give it to the “beautiful young actress”.
One more thing …have you seen Swan yet???
I’m feeling a…. no.
I highly doubt ANYBODY who saw the film would quantify Portman’s performance down to ” beautiful young actress had to learn ballet.
Maybe beautiful young actress learns ballet, lives role, gives haunting performance and basically turns into a damn animal on the screen. Wait scratch that ….she becomes two animals..while also playing a VERY multifaceted (human) role.
Stephen Holt says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 8:51pm
Brava Divas! Natalie AND Sasha! Brava!
ariadne says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 9:58pm
I wonder what kind of actress Afrika will praise, since both Mulligan and Portman fell short ! (and they’re both amazing actress in my opnion)
ariadne says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 9:59pm
I wonder what kind of actress Afrika will praise, since both Mulligan and Portman fell short ! (and they’re both amazing actresses in my opnion)
KB says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:10pm
I don’t know what I like better – this fabulous review from Sasha, or everyone calling out Afrika. Anyways, I think the Academy will realize the passion that went into this project and nominate across the board.
Pierre de Plume says:
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:24pm
This review really does soar.
At this point Portman is a quite reasonable bet. She’s paid some dues, awards bodies (including AMPAS) have already demonstrated appreciation of her talent, and both she and the film are being praised. Plus — ahem — she is young and beautiful, and we all know how the Academy reacts to that. What more could one want to solidify her chances of winning an Oscar?
Dominik says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 2:40am
#66, Mac:
“It will be the breakthrough-performance-year. The Academy has only ever given a 50-something a Best Actress award once (Shirley Booth for Come Back Little Sheba). ”
Without having to re-check this argument, I think you are wrong. No actress over 50 has ever won Best Actress? How old is Helen Mirren? I´m pretty sure she is older. Jessica Tandy was over 80 I guess when she received her award for “Driving Miss Daisy”, and I bet we will find a dozen other actresses over 50 that actually won in that category.
The Academy might have a crush on young actresses transforming physically or psychologically in a role, but I think it´s nothing you can deduce a solid rule from.
And Phantom, #49:
You name a couple of merited older actresses as examples for your “over-due”-theory that already won an Academy Award before. In my theory, an “overdue”-actress is someone who has yet to win (why should she be “overdue” otherwise?), therefore the wins of Julia Roberts over Ellen Burstyn, Halle Berry over Sissy Spacek, Marion Cotillard over Julie Christie or Theron over Keaton are no victories that could fit into the “breakthrough perf. beats overdue-factor”- category.
To make this clear, I am a huge fan and admirer of Natalie Portman and I want her to win (based on sympathy, since I haven´t seen the films yet), but I´m still sceptical if she can overcome the beforementioned “overdue”-factor of Bening.
R.M. says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 4:09am
As Sasha says, it’s not about giving the best performance when it comes to Oscar. We got the biggest proof in recent history last year: Did Sandra Bullock give the Best Female Performance last year? I don’t even have to say more than that.
Bring on the Critic’s awards. That’s when we finally will get a clear picture. If they all hand Lesley Manville or Jennifer Lawrence the Best Actress ‘awards’ then it becomes open. But it seems to be Natalie’s year, critic-wise.
But then again, even if Bening starts wining all the critics awards, remember: So did Streep last year.
If Natalie wins over the critics, I can’t see her being stopped. If she doesn’t, we won’t know anything for sure. Bening might fall completely out, if the Globes label it as a comedy.
Mac says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 4:58am
@Dominik,
You misread what I wrote – there has only been one woman in her fifties that has won the Best Actress Oscar. Obviously, there have been a handful of others to win it 60+. Helen Mirren, Marie Dressler, Katherine Hepburn (twice)… only one fifty-something.
Maybe it’s just a quirky fact, but I think it says something about aging as a woman in Hollywood (How relevant is All About Eve after all these years!).
The Academy rewards lifetime achievement in all the acting categories. This might explain the modest amount of elderly women to have won the award. Some are richly deserved. Check out Hepburn in The Lion in Winter. Yet even as awesome as the performance was, she only managed a tie with the up and coming – and young! – Barbra Streisand. Then you have Geraldine Page and Jessica Tandy who arguably won the award based on lifetime achievement.
It’s nothing new to accuse Hollywood of ageism. There must be a perception that fifty-something-year-old women have boring stories to tell. Or at least no one is writing about them.
Critics have long pointed out that men actually have a better chance of winning as they age and the statistics underline this fact.
So yes, the odds are against Bening. Don’t worry, she will more than likely get her trophy a couple of decades from now. To standing ovation no less! She just has to get through these uneventful years of womanhood first.
Dominik says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 5:30am
I see your point, Mac.
Still very shaky for me to take position (because I first have to see both performances), but I feel there has been so much talk about “Kids” and it´s social relevance (the movie was also attacked by some conservatives) that Annette Bening will find enough support, even if she´s in her 50´s.
As I argued before, although Bening is not really old enough to qualify for a lifetime achievement consolation prize, she may be considered as overdue at this very moment of her career.
Still, I got a fanboyish crush on Natalie, so I hope my instinct is wrong and you are right, Mac!
Ryan Adams says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 6:38am
From one angle that’s encouraging, Dominik, but from another angle it makes me a little nervous. As far as Hollywood making a statement about socially relevant principles, I worry if the Academy will stand up so boldly in support of lesbian marriage as much as they were probably eager to speak up about the war in Iraq? (even if they weren’t really sure what The Hurt Locker was saying about Iraq, at least it felt to voters like they were saying something.)
There are some of the year’s most graphic sex scenes in Black Swan and The Kids Are All Right. In TKAA, the sex is absolutely played for laughs in all its clumsy slapstick stickiness. Black Swan takes its sex a lot more seriously, and will probably be far more stimulating for all the male members (er, unfortunate placement of “members” in that sentence.
So it’s going to be an interesting balance to find out which depiction of girl-on-girl sex is least objectionable to the sensitive voters, and for the other voters which lesbian action is the most palatable. (er, unfortunate placement of “palatable” in that sentence.)
Dominik says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:13am
Ryan, your remarks about the Black Swan- sex scenes make my mouth water, which is even more frustrating since it´s not released before January, 20th here in Germany!
Yeah, I was thinking about the Standing Ovation for Sean Penn and “Milk” (which also received best screenplay, let´s not forget) when I speculated about the assumed support “Kids” and leading actress Bening might have in the Academy. If they gave a statement pro gay rights in honoring Sean Penn two years ago, they at least won´t have a problem with the lesbian marriage-background in “Kids”, I bet. And I feel that Annette Bening is very respected in the industry, also.
And you know, Ryan, I was just as little sure what “Hurt Locker” wanted to say about the Iraq war other than the situation being messed up and, in general, “war is a drug”. The movie didn´t really satisfy me, but I have to admit it was an unusual and edgy choice by the Academy.
Thinking about last year I strongly feel that this year is so much better!
Alvideo says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:14am
@ R.M.
Why would it be a problem for Bening to win the Oscar if her film appears in the comedy/musical category at the Globes ? It didn’t stop McDormand or Witherspoon.
Bening could win some critic awards because they like to award actors for multiple films, and Bening has her Mother and Child performance that is regarded by some as stronger than her TKSAAR one.
Pierre de Plume says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:21am
I basically agree with Mac’s observations. Hollywood male members have a hard time with sexuality in its middle-aged female stars. Bullock’s win was a bit of an anomaly; she’s neither a 50-ish star nor a young Hollywood princess. Rather, she was helped along by her track record of box office clout and the Academy’s efforts to be more inclusive regarding films popular with the general public.
If Bening ever wins, I’m betting it’ll be down the road rather than this year.
Ryan Adams says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:26am
If they gave a statement pro gay rights in honoring Sean Penn two years ago, they at least won´t have a problem with the lesbian marriage-background in “Kids”
Don’t get me wrong, Dominik. I’m not one of those people who believe the Academy is homophobic — not at all. But I do think they choose very carefully which sort of gay banners they want to carry. Two years ago the USA and California in particular were reeling from the blow of Prop 8 and the Mormon intrusion. As an overtly political movie with a ready-made martyr Milk had perfect timing to ride that wave of sympathy.
Now we have the issue of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell back in the news, and we can barely even get a Democrat to acknowledge their responsibility. I wonder if people are so complacent that they might see ahappy lesbian couple and think, “ok then! problem solved!”
Dominik says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:40am
You are probably right, Ryan. I feel insecure to speculate about how the Academy might feel with “The Kids are all right”, cause I don´t know how the subject is handled (I will see the film in two weeks).
But if you suggest the sex scene are more slapstick and amusing, it won´t hurt the feeling of those Academy members that are prudish.
Let´s not forget, the Academy members are no politicians. They like to place a statement and honor social commitment, but they are in a different situation than Democrat politicians. They don´t have to vote tactically.
Have to add: I do not think the Academy should vote for Bening in order to give a statement, they should by all means vote for the performance they think is the best. Sean Penn was IMO the best two years ago.
Nic says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:54am
Sasha first I want to commend you on probably one of the most eloquent commentaries I think I read at this site. I was caught as reading this that I was pulled back to a performance by an actress years ago that left nearly everyone astounded. Holly Hunter in “The Piano”. I have too agree there a few performances that hold us in the palm of the actors hand as we watch them create that near perfect illusion. Few succeed not because they can’t but it’s the nature of the beast.
I was transfixed by Portman in “Closer”. From that single experience I realized this was a woman who had a lot more layers that film would reveal in time. Looks to me like this Performance will be one of the those that is etched forever in cinematic history.
Tero Heikkinen says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 8:28am
Hmm, Bening has always been nominated for roles that are a bit “daring” on mainstream Hollywood scale.
“Fuck me, your majesty” was also a very slapstick sex scene in American Beauty. Being Julia – the character had a thing with a considerably younger male and in The Grifters they even showed the flirty “you are seeing it, you’re looking right at it” -clip at the Oscars.
One could say that these three films also have some sort of plotting (revenge even) going on and TKAAR does not have that, but even in that movie, Bening’s character becomes “cold” for a while.
Ryan Adams says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 9:44am
Is it wrong for me to say that the movies Tero Heikkinen mentions are really the only great roles Bening’s ever had? Bugsy didn’t give her much to do. What else is there?
So we have an actress who will have been rightly nominated for every decent role she ever got — and no doubt it’s an impressive list:
American Beauty
The Grifters
Being Julia
The Kids Are All Right
But — I don’t think many people would argue that Hillary Swank didn’t deserve to win for Boys Don’t Cry. And American Beauty isn’t so amazing in retrospect, is it? (is it?)
Swank didn’t steal Bening’s Oscar in 1995 either. Swank stole Kate Winslet’s Oscar for Eternal Sunshine. Swank stole Imelda Staunton’s Oscar for Vera Drake. Bening was like 4th on the list that year, so it’s no crime she lost, is it? (is it?)
Likewise, 1991. The Oscar didn’t belong to Whoopie or Annette. Lorraine Bracco should have won for Goodfellas.
I guess what I’m saying — yes, I do agree that The Kids Are All Right is Bening’s finest performance. But I don’t think she’s been passed over unfairly in the past. And I wonder if she really has such a supremely outstanding record of great performances. Because I’m only seeing 4 great roles in her whole career.
When I think of actors and actresses who are overdue, I think of those about whom we say: “Oh holy fuck! Why didn’t he/she win for this or for that, years ago!?”
And I’m not all that confident Annette Benings filmography is really in that league, for me.
I now retreat to my bomb shelter.
Robert says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 10:37am
Actually, Ryan, I agree with you. I like Annette Bening and I’m in the camp that thinks her performance in “The Kids Are All Right” is perhaps her best, but I can’t really say I think she’s been unfairly passed over by Oscar.
I also think Hilary Swank deserved to win for “Boys Don’t Cry” back in 1999, so when I read comments where people claim that Bening should have won for “American Beauty,” I just kind of shrug. I’m not a huge fan of “American Beauty,” though, and I actually thought Bening was one of the weaker links in the film (personal opinion, of course).
I would have voted Bening over Swank in 2004, but I would have voted for Winslet, Staunton, or Catalina Sandino Moreno over either one of them, so I can’t say I think Bening losing that year was this huge travesty. (I suppose the fact she lost to Swank again makes it feel like that to some people.)
So, yeah. I agree with Ryan.
*looks around for a spare bomb shelter*
Afrika says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 10:50am
Shadow over substance. That’s the best way to describe these comments.
*sips tea*
Dominik says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:13am
Annette Bening was the weakest part of “American Beauty” (totally over-the-top for me, whereas Spacey and Cooper were top-notch), a movie I still like quite well (“The Insider” was the best amongst the nominees, but “Being John Malkovich” remains my personal favourite in that respective year).
Hence no, Robert and Ryan, I don´t start the bomb shelter!
Ryan Adams says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:21am
I forgot the first rule of bomb shelter: Don’t talk about bomb shelter.
This is turning into a deleted scene from The Road.
Zoe says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:27am
*Puts Portmaniac-flavoured Kool-aid in Afrika’s tea*
Afrika says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:36am
“How do we know Portman is not the Bening or Streep of the future?”
– Jams1234
Did you honestly type that with a straight face? Portman fanboys are truly one of a kind. She has a rom com coming out later this year with Ashton Kutcher. I can definitely see a Witherspoon-esque
post-Oscar win career for her. Well deserved if you ask me. Cheers!!
Zoe says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:51am
Post-Oscar win, Afrika? Straight from the horse’s mouth.
Cari says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 12:42pm
I don’t even read Afrika’s comments now. I scroll, see Afrika and skip to the next.
This is such a well-written review Sasha and I’m glad you finally saw Black Swan
daveinprogress says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 1:06pm
I agree with you Ryan on your overview of Ms Bening’s film career; and it certainly doesn’t take away from those nominated roles or the legitimacy of the regard for her. But it does take the hype out of that over used word ‘overdue’. Having observed greats like Susan Sarandon endure multiple noms before a win, and likewise Kate WInslet, Helen Mirren – there are actors that the accumulation of their work along with continued excellence that makes them the favourite or ‘due’. I recall a post 12 months ago looking at Jeff Bridges frontrunner status and people were reflecting on his career. The seemingly endless titles that were mentioned reiterated how ‘due’ he was for an Oscar, not just because of the longevity but the quality and diversity of his resume. You are right, there is simply not that abundance for Ms Bening. That said, i finally watched Mother and Child last night, and 2010 is certainly a come back year for Annette. I went off her for many years, considering her significantly the woman that tamed Warren Beatty, rather than a leading cinematic player. Every now and again it is helpful to deflate the hype that envelopes the Oscar race.
Tye-Grr says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 1:16pm
@Afrika- (good lord, I know this is pointless) Comparing Reese Witherspoon’s career to Natalie Portman’s is like apples and nails. They’re nothing alike. And if Natalie wins for ‘Black Swan’, something tells me it’ll be a far more deserving win than Witherspoon’s was for ‘Walk The Line’.
Anyways, great write-up Sasha! You’re always a great read.
Dave says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 1:42pm
Sasha – Really glad you finally (!) saw this. Saw it by sheer luck at TIFF and adored every minute of it. Was getting very impatient waiting to see your coverage amp up and start putting it in the running for more things, as opposed to just having it sit in the background because you hadn’t seen it yet…
metinoktay says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 1:54pm
The idea that Natalie Portman could give a performance which could be regarded as the best of any year is funny. I would consider it an achievement if she is better than a couch potato.
jams1234 says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 2:48pm
“Did you honestly type that with a straight face? Portman fanboys are truly one of a kind. She has a rom com coming out later this year with Ashton Kutcher. I can definitely see a Witherspoon-esque
post-Oscar win career for her. Well deserved if you ask me. Cheers!!”
Afrika
Yes I was very straight faced. Meryl did rom coms and other questionable roles too. She Devil, anybody??
AND again don’t take that as a slam against Queen Meryl.
You can make blanket statements and lump everybody together, doesn’t make em true.
I’m not a Portman fanboy. I liked her. I had absolutely NO expectations from Black Swan. I was not even sure exactly what it was about when I went to see it months ago. CALL me CRAZY!!! I like to be surprised by movies….and THEN form my opinion. Portman had me spellbound. She was amazing & I’m not going to deny that. I don’t care if she’s young or old, beautiful, ugly black white alien bitch or a human saint.
Her performance in Black Swan is remarkable. PERIOD.
I NOTICE you did not answer the question.
>>>>>>>>>HAVE YOU SEEN IT???? <<<<<<<<
NO!! Right???? So zip it. You don't get an opinion yet.
You're wasting ALL of our time, especially your own b/c …nobody agrees with you.
Come back to me AFTER you've viewed it with your predetermined hate for Portman. THEN come & bag on her….I'll be here & at least you'll have a leg to stand on then.
*Cheers Honey!
Afrika says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 3:00pm
jams1234,
I stopped reading after the second line. Instead of wasting time with lengthy monologues, why don’t you just write a book? I doubt anyone is going to buy it but at least you’ll be doing something productive.
jams1234 says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 3:26pm
Well After the second line, comes the third and ALL of them are….a quote from you.
I’d pass it up too.
My genius does not start until around line 7.
I see you still did not answer the question……OH that’s right “you stopped reading it” Sure Okay!
Anyways Take Care. I hope you enjoy Swan IF and WHEN you are able see it. Try not to have your mind too made up before you go in.
Lizzie says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 3:43pm
I just read this on a review. So this reviewer obviously feels a bit differently about Black Swan.
Next up is Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder. This is a film that has attracted much speculation and divided audiences who have seen it. Portman plays Nina, a classical dancer who is offered the role of the prima ballerina in a new production of Swan Lake after their principal dancer Beth Macintyre (Ryder) leaves. Vincent Cassel is svengali Thomas Leroy, the head of the ballet company, who isn’t convinced that Nina is capable of playing both the White Swan and the more evil counterpart, the Black Swan, in Swan Lake. So Nina becomes obsessed with trying to pin down the other role, with her life seemingly falling to pieces around her. Black Swan looks incredible, dark and menacing, but the problem here is that Portman’s Nina is an obnoxious, narcissistic and unsympathetic character, so when the film ends on a low note, because the audience can’t empathise with her, it leaves you feeling quite cold. None of the other characters are particularly likeable either with Cassel a bit of a shit who had a fling with Beth before the company got rid of her and only Lilly (Kunis), who befriends Nina, comes across as remotely human. So Black Swan works as a technical exercise and there’s no denying Aronofsky’s prowess as a director but it’s clinical and rather portentous in places with a protagonist that you never really get to care about.…
menyc says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 4:36pm
@99 Ryan: Forget the bomb shelter. I agree with every word of that post and have been thinking it for years. Glad to read it from someone else.
*smacks teacup out of afrika’s hand*
Sonny says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 4:38pm
Afrika,
I think you need to seek help… i’ve never seen anyone so desperate for attention in my life…
*get a life*
Craig says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 5:35pm
Agreed, Afrika if you act like you do on here in real life I feel really sorry for you. You must be one miserable human being. Have a fun life convincing yourself that your smarter than everybody…..by yourself.
daveinprogress says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 6:09pm
This is veering into cyber bullying. Could we acknowledge that differing view points exist and move on? Oh and talk about film…
Christopher says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 6:20pm
Went to see “127 Hours” tonight! It will be a shame if Franco doesn’t win the Oscar. He was amazing! Anyhooo-I say this because there was a preview of Black Swan-and they try in the preview to play it as a “horror” film. I am in New York City-and the audience unfortunately laughed rather loudly during the preview like this was a joke. I hope they do not ruin the box office or awards tally by trying to sell this as a horror film.
I was caught by surprise by the laughter, because I know what the film is about-but the rest of the audience seemed to think it looked laughable. Sad to do to such a promising film.
Let me add, that I haven’t seen this particular preview online. It was really bad. I dont’ know who edited this preview together, but it was awful. The previews online are so much better-I hope they change this bad move soon.
Sasha Stone says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 6:46pm
but the problem here is that Portman’s Nina is an obnoxious, narcissistic and unsympathetic character, so when the film ends on a low note, because the audience can’t empathise with her, it leaves you feeling quite cold.
Wrong. There is no problem here. The reviewer did not get the film.
daveinprogress says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 6:55pm
Sasha, I haven’t seen Black Swan, but isn’t that reviewer’s reaction their own response and feeling to the movie. Does that have to mean they didn’t get the film? Can two individuals have contrasting responses to the same feature, and both be valid, by merit of their subjective take on it? A Single Man, elicited two very different mood responses as i discovered with a friend of mine. I ws uplifted, he was not -aren’t both ‘getting’ the movie in different ways.
Sasha Stone says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:32pm
Does that have to mean they didn’t get the film?
To state, “I did not feel anything while watching Natalie Portman” is a different thing from stating it as fact. He says “the problem here…” when in fact there is no problem here. It wasn’t written like a personal reaction. And that makes Mama Bear get very angry.
Drew says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 7:43pm
Christopher-I’d like to see that trailer somewhere. The only trailer I’ve seen so far is the one that premiered on line a few months ago and that has played incredibly well to everyone I know who has seen it. It makes little sense to me that they would suddenly change their marketting strategey as you described when the release date is so close.
Christopher says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 8:46pm
I know Drew, I hadn’t seen this one either, and I loved the other trailer and am excited about seeing it.
However, this trailer was insane! The way that they cut it-trying to montage all the scary stuff-such as Nina seeing HERSELF walk by-then cutting to her taking a HUGE intake of Breath followed by swelling ominous music-that I hadn’t even heard before…and wonder if it really is the music from the movie….it was tragic. It was like some of the bad marketing of Fatal Attraction meets Paranormal Activity. I don’t know what they are thinking or why they would do it, but it was there!
daveinprogress says:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 10:01pm
Sasha a combo of your photo and the concept of you as Mama Bear made me smile. I get your point – I also react strongly to ‘feeling’ disguised as fact. I also see how impressed you are with Black Swan, and I await its magnificence when it opens here next month.
Simon Warrasch says:
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 2:51am
I tell you Natalie Portman will win! Anette Bening couldn’t win for a role in a movie where two of the most Oscar overdue Actresses are in it. Ok Annette Bening give the better performance in The Kids Are All Right BUT Julianne Moore is the better Actress! And so i don’t think so that Annette Bening will win! And also everyone is talking about Natalie’s phenomenal Tour de Force Performance in Black Swan and i also don’t think that Black Swan will have this The Wrestler Effect! Natalie Portman is an outstanding Actress who gave brilliant Performances in Leon – The Professional, Closer, Free Zone… She is young, beautiful, gorgeous and soo talented! I mean she is not a Ballerina and she studied 365 days, 5 hours a day to become a ballerina in that outstanding Movie! And i think soo much hard work should be rewarded!
In the Category Leading Actress it is just a race between Natalie Portman and Annette Bening! Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Julianne Moore (if she goes Leaidng), Lasley Manville (if she goes Leading), Anne Hathaway, Sally Hawkins, Diane Lane, Hilary Swank, Carey Mulligan, Naomi Watts, Maria Bello and Michelle Williams have no chance!
phantom says:
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 3:17am
Christopher, agreed on Franco’s incredible performance BUT check out The King’s Speech, Biutiful, Blue Valentine and Shutter Island, those films feature incredible lead performances by male actors, as well. Of course you cannot really compare one of these turns to another, but all these performances are top-notch. It’s probably down to Firth-Franco now, and former has the edge considering his veteran/last year’s runner up/potential bp-winner-status. ALL the ‘gurus’ put him in first place, meanwhile Franco got a very solid second place.
Christopher says:
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 8:24am
Phantom-I am anxiously awaiting seeing Firth’s performance-and the film. Blue Valentine as well.
What impressed me with Franco was the same thing that got under my skin with Holly Hunter in the Piano. That is the ability to comminicate and tell a story without a great deal of words. I won’t make my final judgement yet-but it’s going to take something pretty darn good to get me over Franco’s performance.
phantom says:
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 10:07am
Agreed, by the way Carey Mulligan delivered a brilliant performance with little dialogue this year, as well. If you are into these kind of silently powerful performances, you should check out Never let me go, too.
Afrika says:
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 10:29am
Craig and Sonny
What? cyber bullies like yourselves and telling me to get a life? wonders shall never end. Stop projecting your own lucid insecurities on me and deal with the fact that not everyone adores your precious and overrated Portman.
“Natalie’s phenomenal Tour de Force Performance in Black Swan and i also don’t think that Black Swan will have this The Wrestler Effect! Natalie Portman is an outstanding Actress who gave brilliant Performances in Leon – The Professional, Closer, Free Zone… She is young, beautiful, gorgeous and soo talented! I mean she is not a Ballerina and she studied 365 days, 5 hours a day to become a ballerina in that outstanding Movie! And i think soo much hard work should be rewarded!”
- Simon Warrasch
This quote pretty much summarises everything the Portman fanboys are saying in this thread. They want her to win because
a) she is beautiful and sexy (subjective)
and
b) her hard work for learning ballet should be rewarded.
She is likely going to win and like the overrated “beautiful” actresses who have won before her, she’ll find an illustrious career in rom coms and political thriller flops. Witherspoon, Bullock and Gwyneth, you’ve got company.