By Josie Harpole

Staff Writer

Natalie Portman shines in her outstanding role of Nina, a dancer who just wants to be perfect. The movie follows Nina as she attempts to get a role in the upcoming ballet performance of “Swan Lake”. Nina is told she dances well for the role of the white swan, but that she does not have what it takes to perform the role of the black swan, and that both roles need to be played by the same dancer. Later, she is cast with the leading role of both swans. In her struggle for perfection of the demanding role of the black swan viewers watch Nina’s decent into madness.

The movie was directed by Darron Aronofsky, who was made famous with dark and intriguing films such as Requiem for a Dream and Pi. This film is no exception. Just like the others it is desirably disturbing and extremely intriguing. The film is full of twists and turns; reality and fantasy are intertwined. While the film has gained some rave reviews, it is a psychological thriller and not something for just anyone.

The movie was well done all around. It was an award winning performance for Natalie Portman. The film opened in only limited theaters, 18 in North America. It brought in $415,822. It was Fox Searchlight Pictures highest per-theater average gross ever and currently ranks 21 on the all-time list. It was wide released the second week and expanded unto 90 theaters. By the eighth weekend of the release, it had grown to 2,407 theaters and raised and overall total of $83,250,375. The motion picture left audiences saying “It was perfect.”