A committed dancer struggles to maintain her sanity after winning the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".A committed dancer struggles to maintain her sanity after winning the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".A committed dancer struggles to maintain her sanity after winning the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".
- Director
- Writers
- Mark Heyman(screenplay)
- Andres Heinz(screenplay)
- John J. McLaughlin(screenplay)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Mark Heyman(screenplay)
- Andres Heinz(screenplay)
- John J. McLaughlin(screenplay)
- Stars
- Won 1 Oscar
- 97 wins & 279 nominations total
Videos11
Abraham Aronofsky
- Mr. Steinas Mr. Stein
- (as Abe Aronofsky)
- …
- Director
- Writers
- Mark Heyman(screenplay)
- Andres Heinz(screenplay) (story)
- John J. McLaughlin(screenplay)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
Nina (Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side - a recklessness that threatens to destroy her. —Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Taglines
- I just want to be perfect.
- Genres
- Certificate
- 15
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaDarren Aronofsky told journalist Kim Masters in a radio interview (KCRW's "The Business" broadcast February 14, 2011) that Natalie Portman not only trained for a year as a dancer to prepare for the role, but paid for the the training out of her own pocket until the film found investors. Aronofsky attributed the film getting made at all to Portman's dedication and enthusiasm.
- GoofsWhen Nina returns home and looks for her mother, after being assigned a role, a camera operator is visible in a mirror.
- Crazy creditsMany cast members are credited both as their role in this film and said character's corresponding role in the Swan Lake ballet
- SoundtracksApotheosis
Written and Performed by Peter Min (as Pete Min)
Contains "Swan Lake" written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Top review
The Good and The Bad
I was very lucky to snag tickets to see Black Swan at the the Toronto International Film Festival.
THE GOOD: Natalie Portman's acting was perfection - definitely an Oscar worthy performance. Mila Kunis's performance was surprising in a good way, it is clear that she stepped out of her comfort zone. The film's musical score was superb. Of course, much of it was taken from 'Swan Lake', but I loved that they were able to incorporate that music throughout the entire film and not just in the ballet scenes. Of course, it was beautifully shot and the plot was riveting - I was drawn in from beginning to end. The audience saw a new side of ballet/ theatre that is not often shown in popular films - the struggle the performer faces in committing to and perfecting a role. The struggle between 'good' vs. 'evil' was presented in a methodical and intriguing way.
THE BAD: Many parts of this film felt like it belonged in the horror Genre. Some parts definitely made me jump or cringe (which I was not expecting). The film was also an emotional roller-coaster, which was fine at first, but This 'emotional roller-coaster' sort of dragged on to the point that it almost felt like it was too much. I just feel that it could have been tuned down a notch.
Overall, I thought that most of the film was wonderful, and I highly recommend it.
THE GOOD: Natalie Portman's acting was perfection - definitely an Oscar worthy performance. Mila Kunis's performance was surprising in a good way, it is clear that she stepped out of her comfort zone. The film's musical score was superb. Of course, much of it was taken from 'Swan Lake', but I loved that they were able to incorporate that music throughout the entire film and not just in the ballet scenes. Of course, it was beautifully shot and the plot was riveting - I was drawn in from beginning to end. The audience saw a new side of ballet/ theatre that is not often shown in popular films - the struggle the performer faces in committing to and perfecting a role. The struggle between 'good' vs. 'evil' was presented in a methodical and intriguing way.
THE BAD: Many parts of this film felt like it belonged in the horror Genre. Some parts definitely made me jump or cringe (which I was not expecting). The film was also an emotional roller-coaster, which was fine at first, but This 'emotional roller-coaster' sort of dragged on to the point that it almost felt like it was too much. I just feel that it could have been tuned down a notch.
Overall, I thought that most of the film was wonderful, and I highly recommend it.
helpful•249168
- jullashanghavi
- Sep 14, 2010
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Thiên Nga Đen
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $13,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $106,954,678
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,443,809
- Dec 5, 2010
- Gross worldwide
- $329,398,046
- Runtime1 hour 48 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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