A good movie, despite some predictability

Rating: 7/10 (28 April 2016)

Nina is a professional ballerina, who lives in the shadow of her mother and isn't happy. She wants at all costs to hold mother's ambition: see his daughter as "prima ballerina". But things go wrong when a rival, out of nowhere, threatens to steal it. Fortunately for both, "The Swan Lake" is a piece that requires two protagonists: the White Swan, sweet and gentle, and the Black Swan, malicious and seductive. While Nina is perfect for the White Swan, she will have to prepare herself for the other part, and goes in search of her own malice. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, it has screenplay by Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz and John J. McLaughlin, and features Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel in the lead roles.
We are facing an interesting film, which deals with the intense rivalries of the ballet world and the psychological consequences that they can cause. In fact, the script isn't bad but, at a certain point, becomes a bit predictable. The plot is silent with regard to mental and psychological health of Nina, but imply them traumas and repressions of her past. The end of the film is excellent, but the public never gets to see clearly where the reality ends and begins the imagination. The cast worked well and most of the actors did a good performance, yet not too surprising. Natalie Portman is the exception: she got an exceptional performance and gave her character a huge and very rich psychological depth. I also liked the characterization and costumes, that sparkled in some scenes. And Tchaikovsky's music is always good in any soundtrack.
This film is quite good, despite some minor flaws and predictability. It works, entertains, thrills and sometimes shocks. Could be better? Yes, but it's not bad the way it is.