a dark, twisted, psychological roller coaster

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2010)

Its hard to think any words can really do this movie the proper justice. Darren Aronofski has made himself a true masterpiece, that when finished, leaves its viewer completely astonished at what just unfolded before them. From the opening scene to its conclusion, the movie is brilliant. The film entrances you with its story, and like a ballet, elegantly dances your mind down the rails of a dark, twisted, psychological roller coaster. You will leave the movie astonished at what you just saw.
Natalie Portman offers a transcendent performance with her role as Nina, the quiet, hard working ballet dancer; a perfectionist who believes she is qualified to play the lead in her ballet company's new rendition of Swan Lake. However, her chase for perfection becomes halted with the entrance of a new dancer to the company, a young woman named Lily (Mila Kunis). Nina sees Lily as competition, and therefore little reason to trust her. The rest of the film then becomes a psychological thrill ride. The viewer witnesses Nina's paranoia begin to undo her as she must out perform her new competition, win the eye of her ballet director (Vincent Cassel), and continue to please her ballet-obsessive mother (frighteningly well played by Barbara Hershey) - all in the chase for perfection.
Leaving the Theater, I immediately wished to view the film again. The director's inclusion of the ballet's harrowing music, his keen eye for the colors of black and white, and his constant inclusion of mirrors, all add to the chilling, psychological uncertainties the film has to offer.
Truly amazing, 10/10