By Brooke King, Staff Writer
Have you ever wondered how people turn into psycho killers? Well, look no further. Darren Aronofsky, director of Black Swan, brings to the screen the seedy underworld of the art of ballet, as well as some racy same-sex scenes.
Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company, who is completely obsessed with her job. She lives with her jealous, washed-up ballerina mother Erika in a small apartment that completely caters to Nina’s obsession with ballet.
The movie progresses rather quickly as Beth MacIntyre (Winona Rider), the lead ballerina in the company is replaced by Nina for the opening of the holiday season ballets, the first being Swan Lake. However, the new competitive dancer from San Francisco, Lily (Mila Kunis), begins to stir up trouble for Nina. While the suspense builds within the character dynamic, Nina finds herself to be struggling with her own role as Swan Queen. As the rivalry between the two dancers progresses, Nina must find the balance between the White Swan, which she plays perfectly, and the Black Swan that she is yet to grasp the concept of dancing as. While her dark side is far from found, her artistic director suggests some rather unorthodox methods for her to perform in order to tap the evil within her.
While seen as a virgin and naïve, Nina is constantly tested by her artistic director and her rival Lily. By the middle of the movie, the parallels between reality and psychosis begin to develop. Nina begins to believe Lily is after her and her psycho-obsessed mother begins to realize that Nina is losing her mind, which is an attribute that also exists in the mother.
Though it may not be what I would consider a thriller movie, the psychotic episode by Nina warrants much acclaim to Portman’s ability to tap her inner psycho. It may not leave you on the edge of your seat the whole time, though it does leave a lasting impression on the art of ballet. While the plotline seems more for the female audience, there are some racy scenes, which might appeal to the male audience as well. While some could see it as rather offensive, and a little unnecessary, the scene lends itself to the psychotic break of Nina. There is, however, some drug use, and rather disturbing images. The acting and cinematography of the thriller, however, leave it as a must for buzz-worthy Oscar fame.
