Not your typical "Swan Lake"

Rating: Null/10 (21 July 2011)

Since I had heard many things about this movie before viewing it, I wasn't sure about how I would react to some aspects of the movie.
First of all, I really enjoyed the story, regardless of how disturbing it could be. I relate to it well because I'm in the performing arts myself (music and theatre), and I understand the desire and obsession with being perfect at what you do.
Natalie Portman's performance was brilliant--she showed a great example of what some actors, performers, etc. go through--the work that goes into a "finished product" and how so much of you can be consumed in it. One particular thing I saw improvement in was her facial expressions: in other movies of her that I had seen such as "Anywhere But Here", I usually found her face to be very dead. I saw a lot more variety in her emotional expression in this role, and it really contributed to her transformation.
Although I was saddened by how disturbing and mentally destructive Nina, the ballerina, became, I was not surprised after discovering that Darren Aronofsky had directed the film. He tends to make movies that center around a person being so consumed with their passion or art that it causes great problems or ultimately their own destruction.
Another performance that particularly stuck out to me was Barbara Hershey's, who played Nina's mother, Erica. After seeing her during the first part of the movie and then seeing how hers and Nina's relationship is, you are able to tell that mentally, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. However, it's such a brilliant usage of the idea of parents trying to live their once hopes and dreams through their children. She was truly disturbing and smothering--it's very strange and awkward to see her treat her twenty-something daughter like she's eight and have almost complete control over her schedule, eating habits, etc. You almost want to cheer after seeing her assert her independence more, even if she was too drastic about it.
Even if a little over the top at times, this film is a shining example of great directing and great performances by Portman and all of the other cast members.