It began in Venice, Black Swan being declared one of the best of the year and expected to contend at the Oscars. Then they went underground with the hype for a while, smartly I think, to make sure it didn’t buzz out before the release date on December 3rd. So we’re close now, a month away from the Golden Globe nominations and then it’s balls out from there.

Last night was the closing of AFI Fest featuring Black Swan and most of its cast, certainly the key players, including both Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, along with Vincent Cassel, director Darren Aronofsky, fresh off the announcement of his split from Rachel Weisz, and, sigh, Winona Ryder.

This is what I wrote about Winona Ryder at TIFF – click here –and I still feel the same way. With Winona it’s not age but what she’s been through, goes through, endures. Like many of you, I still see her the way she was. It’s jarring to be reminded that that isn’t now anymore.

Also, if I had a time machine, I’d just go back to that year when she and Gwyneth were best friends. The final photo in this series is one of my favourites. They’re around 25. They’re at the top. They’re in New York. They’re SO tight. Every night it’s parties and fashion and champagne and handholding from one open door to another. And as quickly as it came, it was over. I love gossip nostalgia.


Photos from Wenn.com and Alberto E. Rodriguez/Gettyimages.com