Plot: A New York City ballet company is preparing for the production of Swan Lake, choosing to cast a new lead to replace current star Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) as the Swan Queen. However, the lead must maintain an adequate portrayal of both the White and Black Swans. Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a dancer, is picked to compete for the part alongside several other young dancers, including newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis). Nina lives with her caring but overbearing mother Erica (Barbara Hershey), a failed dancer turned amateur artist who tries to control much of Nina’s life.
Impressions: I recently went to see Black Swan with a few friends. I must admit I was pretty impressed with the entire film. Very disturbing, but worth the money. This film is a psycho thriller with a new twist on the classic ballet The Swan Lake. The story in short is about naive ballerina named Nina whose only dream is to be the Queen Swan. Now Thomas Leroy is looking to replace his former prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre. To put a long story short Beth is still a great dancer, but she is getting older and a fresh face is needed for the opening of the season Thomas’ production of Swan Lake.
Lily who is new to the New York City Ballet company catches the eye of Thomas as well during the auditions. He mainly sees Nina as the perfect choice as the White Swam since she is seemingly innocent and full of grace. He needs her to be cunning and sexual , but the problem is that Nina is too perfect and structured in everything she does. I would say it comes from her mother grooming her at birth on how to be a ballerina. Her mother has a hold on her life and treats her like a 12 year old. Nina doesn’t know how to ‘let go’ and, yes, throughout the movie Thomas tells her things or does things to her to make her let go and get in touch with the side of black swan as well. Lily is the great choice as the black swan, but Nina really see her competition to steal her role as Swan Queen. Throughout the film you see how Nina and Lily go about with their friendship. As well she Nina slowly come closer to knowing her dark side and go off the edge.
Over all this it comes to show you that Miss Portman shows us once again she can do any role you need her to play. Her and Mila Kunis were true to the craft of a real actress by losing as much of their body weight just to fit the role of begin a ballerina. I have to say Natalie looked scary skinny to me as well when I quote my friend “SHE LOOK LIKE SHE WOULD LORENA BOBBITT SOMEONE IN THE FILM”. Indeed she did and a whole lot more. I was as well surprised that Winona Ryder had a role in the film as well. Her role was not a big one, but she played her part from begin to end. This film may look like a girl night chick flick, but this is another American Pyscho with Ballet twist to it.
