Who knew ballet could be so intense?
That’s the interpretation you get from the new movie, Black Swan. Released December 1st, it’s directed by The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream director, Darren Aronofsky, and stars a solid cast of Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis (whose slowly building a nice resume with Date Night and The Book of Eli) and Vincent Cassel.
The story is centered around Nina (played by Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life is consumed by the art. Nina works closely with artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) in hopes of becoming the new prima ballerina for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake. Nina thinks she’s got the position wrapped up but a new ballerina, Lily (Kunis), gets the attention of Leroy. Nina develops mixed emotions watching Leroy work with Lily because she’s developed feelings for him. Between watching him move his hands all over Lily and the endless nagging and so-called support from her former ballerina mother, Nina gets a little unstable.
The Black Swan movie trailer alludes to the good versus evil scenario as well as battling demons from within. 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 has to get in touch with her dark side but seems to go about it all the wrong ways.
The project is the first follow-up for Aronofsky since The Wrestler, which came out in 2008. Once again, Aronofsky is delving into a profession that you don’t normally see showcased on the silver screen.
Check out the Black Swan movie trailer above, will you be checking out Portman and Kunis pirouette? If the trailer is any indication, there is more to the story than the two-minute teaser gives away.
