Up until the very night before our polls closed, it looked sure to be 2014's dark horse success The Grand Budapest Hotel which was to win. Then, we looked at the results and Darren Aronofsky's 2010 Oscar-winner had pipped Wes Anderson to the post.
The film takes place in New York City's ferociously competitive ballet scene as parts in the world-famous production of Swan Lake are up for grabs. It plays with the love-hate relationship between protagonist Nina, played by Natalie Portman is perhaps the female performance of the decade, too, and her director and Lily, her rival played by Mila Kunis.
The film was immediately hailed as a critical and commercial success almost singularly validating Portman and Kunis as seriously talented actresses. Of course, Portman famously won every award for Best Leading Actress including the Oscar with no other nominee coming close to the award.
Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Melissa Leo, and Colin Firth with their acting Oscars at the 2011 ceremony. Image by Flickr/DVIDSHUB.
As well as being furiously well acted and directed, it was a deeply beautiful film. The cinematography and production and costume design complimented each other in a pure and non-pretentious way - something that we often see of the ballet world on screen.
It remains Aronofsky's highest-earning film as well as considered his best. Clearly in your opinions, it is, too. Keep your eyes peeled for the rest of the winners of the decade!
If you liked Black Swan, you may enjoy...
Se7en
Whiplash
or Memento
Image courtesy of George Kelly on Flickr
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