Interwebz Critics Is Funny

Rating: 7/10 (26 April 2020)

This movie is really quite decent, and the acting is quality. Black Swan is a unique psychological thriller/horror piece about descent into madness, so you get exactly what you should have been expecting.
This movie is not about ballet. The critical dance-reviewers of this film remind me of the pretentious weenies who bashed Whiplash because "it's not true to life, man!" You mean Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and the others--who are actors and not actually dancers, by the way--didn't perform the way true ballerinas would? Wow! Thanks for your incredible insight!
This movie is not a documentary. "Pffft. Nina would never be selected to dance this role, because the investors would never allow it in the high-dollar world of professional ballet!" Oy. It's a story. Suspension of disbelief, people. Going To The Movies 101.
And those who grouse about the actual theme--the potential negative consequences of an insatiable drive to achieve--well, I suspect you've never actually achieved anything of true rare value.
The movie isn't "real" because Nina has no friends? News flash: If you want to be prima ballerina or the next Picasso or Concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra or President of the United States or any other position of prestige, then you have no life outside of striving for the unattainable perfection required to achieve that goal.
There are no friends. There are no video games. There is no gardening, or reading for pleasure, or dating, or Saturday afternoon relaxing at Starbucks. In fact, there is no watching of movies like Black Swan. There is only rehearsal and improving your craft. And that life can destroy pretty much anyone. Which is the entire point of this film. Too bad you missed it.