This adaptation of Tchaikovskys Swan Lake moves away from the possible fairytale element of the story - Perhaps about a struggling Ballerina who finally makes her big break through Swan Lake, throw in some guy trouble and a bump in the road ultimately ending in her overall success and we've got ourselves a classic tale. The good thing about Aronofsky version is that he decides to focus on portraying the dark and cut throat side of the otherwise sweet and innocent personification of the ballet industry.
Natalie Portman stars as Nina Sayers, a twenty something goody goody ballerina, who according to the show director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel) just isn't strong enough to play the lead. Despite his early comment about her lack of capability in playing both The Swan Queen and the Black Swan, he picks her. Much to her competitors disgust.
This is where things take a turn for the super creepy and uber unexplainable. Now being cast as the lead, Nina is the centrepiece piece of the production and the importance of her role makes her question a lot of things in her life. There's a lot of things wrong with how she lives her life to me but lets focus on the key points, namely how her mother (Barbara Hershey) keeps her under her thumb, almost to the point of obsession.
With Nina now purchased and inserted her new back bone, its the perfect time for the appearance of Mila Kunis - enter stage left - as Lily the american transfer student that makes life for Nina a little bit like what you'd imagine Tim Burtons version of Wonderland to be.
All that's left to say is that this film has a few shots that make your toes curl, some that make you want to hide behind your hands in embarrassment and others that have you shouting at the screen in frustration. Like every good psychological thiller your left thinking what the duck just happened.
