Black Swan

This macabre, psychosexual thriller revolves around fragile but ambitious ballerina Nina (Natalie Portman), who has been dutifully performing minor roles in a New York City ballet company for most of her life. But when lecherous artistic director Thomas (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace retiring prima ballerina Beth (Winona Ryder) in the season-opening Swan Lake, his eye falls on Nina, who has been ritually infantilized by her demanding, overprotective, retired-dancer mother Erica (Barbara Hershey). However, with the arrival of volatile new dancer Lily (Mila Kunis), Nina suddenly has competition. While disciplined perfectionist Nina is proficient at the White Swan's innocence and grace, uninhibited Lily is more adept at the seductive sensuality epitomized by the Black Swan. As their rivalry for the coveted dual role escalates, Nina and Lily form a bizarre friendship, propelling Nina into flights of hallucination as she explores her darker, self-destructive side. Director Darren Aronofsky presents Nina's inner turmoil with bold, extravagant intensity, while Portman—who intensely trained in ballet for a full year—delivers a gripping Oscar-winning performance, ably supported by Hershey and Kunis. A dazzling, harrowing, suspenseful tale, this Best Picture nominee is highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” featurette (49 min.) and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are Fox Movie Channel “Cast Profiles” segments with costars Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder, Barbara Hershey, and Vincent Cassel, and director Darren Aronofsky (23 min.), featurettes on costumes and production design (4 min. each), a “Conversation: Preparing for the Role” segment with Portman and Aronofsky (4 min.), a “Ballet” dance featurette (3 min.), profile segments on Portman and Aronofsky (3 min. each), a “Conversation: Dancing with the Camera” featurette (2 min.), and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a fine extras package for the Blu-ray edition of this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)