Black Swan Film Review

Black Swan is psychological thriller which has had much hype and critical acclaim recently but does the film live up to the sparkling reviews?
This film revolves around one woman's torment and stress of getting her dream role in her dance company's production of The Swan Lake and her inability to embody both the sweet, pure white swan as well as the sensual, seductive black sawn. We see as she gradually loses her grip on reality and plummets into the depths of her troubled mind with fatal consequences. It's not a new concept and follows the same path as any other portrayal of a total mental breakdown but it's the way that it's been made that makes this film so mesmerising. It's shot perfectly with almost all of the shots incredibly tight to the protagonist creating a claustrophobic and stifling atmosphere which draws you in and traps you in the tale. Full of beautiful dancing, people, costumes it's visually magnificent.

Also it's two seemingly contrived subject matters; that of the beauty of the ballet juxtaposed with  the gritty realism of how ballerinas force their bodies to their limits and the extent of madness contrast brilliantly and symbolise eloquently the fracture through her mind. For example the gore and terror within her delusions, which sufficiently spook the audience, emphasise the destructiveness of her obsession for perfection that eventually swallows her whole.
However is this film really as monumental as everyone is making it out to be? Yes it's beautiful and brilliantly acted but it is still just a thriller about someone who is so highly and tightly strung it was really only a matter of time until they lost control and with some huge plot problems such as her ability to dance whilst mortally injured for two whole acts. But for it's merit whilst watching it you are so immersed and mesmerised by the protagonist you don't even acknowledge it's flaws until later on when you re-emerge from it's dark world. For it's genre this film is incredible and definitely one the best but when compared to the whole spectrum of great films it doesn't stand up.   
However I would recommend it because it is the best made and most lavish thriller I've ever seen.