Similar to The Wrestler, director Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan shares the ruthless competitive drive, as well as the obsessive pressures some undergo to reach their goal.
Aronofsky sets his first psychological thriller in the world of New York Ballet where prima ballerina Nina (Natalie Portman) is pushed to the limit by her demanding artistic director, Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) as she competes against her rival Lily (Mila Kunis).
In what may be considered her best performance to date, Portman delivers a riveting portrayal of Nina. Inhabiting a complex multifaceted personality and fragile mental state, Nina gradually loses herself in her frightening quest for perfection.
Visceral light and dark scenes filled with refractive mirrors create parallels between Nina and her Swan Lake character. Matthew Libatique's hand held camera work captures the dancers' energy, sweat and pain, effectively submerging the audience into a rarely seen backstage reality of dance. Clint Mansell's score weaved with Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake heightens the unsettling mood and edge of the seat suspense.
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