A very cleverly weaved tale that shows a fairly accurate depiction of behind-the-scenes of major dance companies. Having been in that kind of scene before even just for an audition you get a vibe that is very strongly similar to much of the goings-on in Black Swan. Not to say that all companies are the same, but it does exist. Portman's portrayal of the ballerina Nina was fairly believable, though sometimes cliché. She crafted a very self-conscious girl who wanted to be perfect and, for the most part, it worked. The shock to me was just how much of a "thriller" this movie is. I was not prepared for half of the things this movie throws at you and soon I was witnessing blood, cursing, and some moments intended to startle (one at which I did jump). Parts of the movie are rather grotesque and truly disturbing to witness and others are witty and clever to watch. The actual dancing aspect of the movie is well done, though mostly focused on Portman through interesting camera angles in order to show facial expressions and hear the small talk between the performers on stage. The movie was rather enjoyable and I'd recommend it for those looking to branch out of the ordinary and witness an interesting look inside of a "beautiful" production, however it is certainly not recommended for the faint of heart.
4 out of 5
