Black Swan Review

How far would you go to reach perfection? In Darren Aronofsky's new film, Black Swan, Natalie Portman stars as a perfection-obsessed prima ballerina who risks her career, her role, and even her life to fill the point shoes of the dark and mysterious Black Swan. Portman plays Nina Sayers, a featured dancer in the New York City Ballet whose life like many dancers, revolves around ballet. Still living with her mother (Barbra Hershey) an overbearing, retired dancer, Nina's safe world is challenged when rival dancer Lily, (Mila Kunis) threatens to steal her leading role as the Swan Queen in the ballets' production of Swan Lake.

Aronofsky, the director of movies such as Requiem for a Dream and The Wrestler, takes the audience on another physiological thriller.

With many twists and turns,Black Swan stays true to Aronofsky's directorial style. With suspense and eerie mind-blowing scenes, as well as performances by a superb cast, Black Swan is a must see.

Though Portman lost an immense amount of weight during her intense ballet training for the role of a prima ballerina, this presents the frailty and vulnerability she created for the character of Nina.

With breathtaking dance numbers making her performance unforgettable, whispers of an Oscar nomination are beginning to brew and it is no coincidence. Portman's performance as Nina, the ambitious yet tortured dancer obsessed with reaching perfection, is executed faultlessly and possibly her best performance of the year.

With Aronofskys' skillful directing skills, Portman's masterful performance, as well as strong supporting cast, Black Swan is a movie that will leave you shocked, mystified, and doing pique turns out the theater doors.