The Black Swan

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2010)

I watched Black Swan from director Darren Aronofsky starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey last night. I jumped and screamed like it was Friday the 13th. It's not really a horror but more of a suspenseful thriller. It's about a New York City ballet company that is producing Swan Lake, and the pressure Nina (Portman) puts on herself for reaching the lead role. Nina lives with Erica (Hershey), her overbearing mother and a former ballerina. Nina finds competition in new dancer Lily (Kunis). Swan Lake requires a ballerina who can play the innocent White Swan, which fits Nina, and the sensual Black Swan, which fits Lily. The dancers' rivalry changes into a bizarre friendship, and Nina begins exploring a dark side of herself. Nina's obsession with the role transforms her, not only on stage but also in her life.
Darren Aronofsky floods the screen with images of mirrors and reflections. Is Nina portraying the Swan Queen or has it become a reflection of Nina? Aronofsky's choice for hand-held also adds to the realism of the action.
Your not going to be screaming in fear, but definitely at the edge of your seat in suspense at the lengths Nina will go to be perfect. Also Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis totally do it, which makes the movie perfect.