The Dark Side of Professional Ballet

Rating: 10/10 (28 February 2011)

Black Swan was something else when it first premiered at Sundance. I saw it when it came out at our local theatre. As I always write, I went into this movie not knowing what to expect. It seemed pretty interesting from what I saw in the trailers: a classic psychological thriller, only it was set in the world of professional ballet. I was thinking let's try something new, so I did.
I was utterly mesmerized. It was a near perfect film that brought me deep into a place that I didn't even know existed. Darren Aronofsky did something a little different from some of his previous. I saw Requiem for a Dream and absolutely loved it, so he was one of the reasons I was practically drawn to the film. Natalie Portman gives the performance of her career as Nina, the films White Swan, and so does Mila Kunis as Lily, the films Black Swan, for whom I have only known as Jackie on That 70's Show. She definitely stepped out of her comfort zone to play this role. Natalie's transformation from the soft and graceful White Swan to the seductive and sensual Black Swan was truly something to experience.
In the end, I walked out the theatre having learned a lesson: that someone's perfection can be their greatest imperfection. Natalie depicted that perfectly. I would not change anything about it. (BTW, I saw the Oscars last night and was so hyped Natalie won. I think she truly deserved it):)