Black Swan

Let me start by saying, this movie is NOT family friendly- do not see it with your mom, your sister or even your boyfriend... It is a movie that is so raw and powerful that it can't be contained in the cute little pink box that other ballet movies might fit in to. There is sex. A lot of sex- mostly our starlet, Natalie Portman, experimenting with herself- which tends to make a lot of people uncomfortable. I felt pained for all of the mother-daughters I saw in the theatre sitting together, awkwardly looking away for half of the movie. Don't let that be you. If you see this movie, see it with someone you know well, and trust just as much.
We, the audience, have grown to love Natalie Portman as the quiet, girl-next-door-turned-heroine for the past decade; starting off young, as Mathilda in The Professional, taking our breath away as Evee Hammond in V for Vendetta, and even as the valiant Padme in the recent installment of Star Wars. She's very good at making us feel for her- wanting to reach into the film and lift her out of whatever predicament she's in. We love to see her succeed.
I had not prepared myself to see 'precious Natalie' in her starring role as Nina Sayers, in Black Swan. I was sure that I had it all figured out from the previews- a movie about a struggling ballerina in New York, trying to make a name for herself- maybe throw in a little sideways romance...  Definitely not.
Nina Sayers is a fragile, and emotionally vulnerable ballerina in a New York Dance company- she is obviously dedicated to her craft and is quietly obsessed with perfection. She lives with her emotionally abusive mother, who was once a dancer as well- and who lives vicariously through her only child, refusing to allow Nina to make any decisions for herself. Nina's bedroom is like that of a 10 year old- pink bed sheets, stuffed animals and music boxes. She's like a porcelain doll, trapped in this perfect little world- unable to free herself.
The opportunity arises for Nina to audition for the role of Odette in the company's production of Swan Lake, and it doesn't seem that she will land the part; the Director (Vincent Cassell) finds her vulnerable nature appealing for the white swan, but says that, being a dual role- Nina lacks the necessary darkness to play the black swan- mentioning her meek nature and lack of sexuality. However, a series of events lands Nina the part- to the dismay of the other ballerinas in the company.
Enter stage left: Mila Kunis, playing the overtly sexual and devious Lily- a ballerina joining the company from San Francisco. Nina feels equally threatened and attracted to her- she's everything that Nina isn't, a fact of which she is keenly aware. I have to say, that I've never been fond of Mila- especially as Jackie in That 70's Show- I've always felt that she was a little one dimensional; but this role changed that. You love Lily for her charm and wit, but hate her for her manipulative ways. I dare you not to be totally intrigued by this character.
Lily sees Nina's vulnerability as an open door- she influences her to 'get out a live a little'- all the while scheming to steal Nina's role as the lead. What happens next can only be describes as controlled chaos: Nina begins to change- fracturing from her once demure self with a darker, rebellious Nina. She begins to experiment sexually, mostly with herself (a good 20 minutes worth at different parts of the movie, don't say I didn't warn you...) and with Lily. There are drugs and alcohol involved- Her once controlled world has gone to hell- she begins imagining herself hurting other people- herself- and oddly enough, she seems to begin sprouting black feathers...
The emotional turmoil surrounding the 'new Nina Sayers' leads to a psychological whirlwind that could easily lose the most seasoned of movie-watchers. You can't tell what's real or not- who's playing who- it left me guessing until the end.
The only qualm I had was with Director Darren Aronofsky's casting of the past Prima Ballerina- Beth (who was replaced by Nina Sayers). It was played by Winona Ryder. The role  meant to be that of a woman who has basically been ridden hard hard and hung up wet. She's dedicated her life to the company- only to be replaced by a younger face, simply because she's reaching her 30s. I felt that Ryder didn't have much to offer the role- she was simply the worst part of this movie.
Darren Aronofsky, is no stranger to psychological thrillers: Requiem for a dream, Pi, and the Fountain- all of which, I dare say, are a little above me. However, this movie reaches out and grabs you- spins you around until you're dizzy- then dares you to walk in a straight line. It's intense and gripping- and one that, if you dare, you should definitely see.