Well, the early reviews are in for Black Swan, which is the opener of the Venice Film Festival, officially underway as of today and it looks like it’s good news for star Natalie Portman. Even among critics like Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter, who wasn’t as enamored with the film as the others (such as Guy Lodge of incontention.com). there’s still universal praise for Portman. Honeycutt said she gives a “bravura performance.” Critics are saying she’s a lock for a Best Actress Oscar nomination. High praise indeed for an actress whose performances in Broadway’s The Diary of Anne Frank and in the Central Park production of The Seagull stunk to high heaven. Seriously, after I saw those two performances, I was convinced she was the worst actress in the world and only got roles because of her looks–nothing else.

But then I saw her in Garden State and changed my mind. She was good in that film; she was also very good in Closer too. Perhaps she was directed badly by Mike Nichols (who directed her in The Seagull). Although I do find it funny that another possible Best Actress Oscar contender for the 2011 awards (Carey Mulligan) also played the same role in The Seagull on Broadway a few years ago–but unlike Portman, Mulligan was wonderful in it. A truly beautiful performance but then Nina is a very difficult role. I didn’t even know who Mulligan was but I thought she (and Blythe Danner who played the role at Williamstown Theater Festival opposite a young Frank Langella–it was subsequently taped for PBS’s Great Performances) was one of the best Ninas ever.

But I digress. Kudos to Natalie Portman. I’m really looking forward to seeing this movie. Here’s a link to the reviews coming in for Portman and Black Swan: http://www.awardsdaily.com/2010/09/natalie-portman-comes-on-strong/

Did you find this information helpful? If you did, consider donating.