Film Review: Black Swan

When Nina, played to perfection by Natalie Portman, is cast as the swan queen in her ballet company's rendition of Swan Lake, she literally loses herself in the role. 

Helmed by Darren Aronofsky, widely known for his stylized directing - most notably the harrowing drug addiction cult classic Requiem for a Dream and the gritty tearjerker The Wrestler, which single-handedly rejuvenated Mickey Rourke's career - Black Swan is a bold, haunting, psychological thriller juxtaposed against the graceful, highly formalized dance form of ballet.

Portman's performance is jaw dropping.  While watching her dance, you're more likely to think Portman was born a ballerina turned actress than the other way around. And her inevitable plunge into the pitfalls of perfectionism as she attempts to embody the role of a lifetime is captivating.

Swan has appeared on practically every film critic's top ten list, has racked up four Golden Globe nominations including best picture and best actress for Portman - and is a shoe-in for some top prizes come Oscar time.

Love the fine arts? Check out this twisted depiction of the world of dance. It's unlike anything you've ever seen before.