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Created May 08, 2011 05:57PM PST • Edited May 08, 2011 05:57PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   A fantastic movie starring Natalie Portman as the all-consumed ballerina Nina who lives with her equally consumed and obsessive mother Erica (Barbara Hershey). Nina is lined up for the top spot for her Ballet company, the Swan queen, but she doesn’t quite live up to the director Thomas’ (Vincent Cassel) expectations. Things get even more interesting when Lily (Mila Kunis) shows up with a little unpredictable competition. This movie does a great job at keeping the suspense and drama high in the world of ballet, which as you learn is incredibly competitive and stressful – and doesn’t exactly bring out the best in the participants. This film really shines when it deep dives in to Nina’s disturbed mind where reality and illusion are mixed. This sometimes causes confusion, but when you start to catch on, it only serves to heighten the thrill of seeing what happens next.

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

   Natalie Portman is indeed brilliant as Nina. Someone who can portray that level of mental disturbance and still come across as genuine is remarkable. Mila Kunis is pretty darned good as the free-wheeling devil-may-care Lily. Barbara Hershey also shows her star-pedigree as the obsessed mother. Last but not least, Vincent Cassel is very good as the hard-edged and abusive director Thomas.

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

7. Female Costars Really Great 4.5

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Crazy and entrancing, Black Swan sucks you in to a maelstrom of psychotic thrill and convinces you of things that aren’t really happening. Completely edge-of-the-seat stuff – and for ballet – that’s quite a feat. You’ll remember the intense drama, eroticism, and unique story line for a long time.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 2.6

17. Sex Erotic 2.6

18. Violence Brutal 2.6

19. Rudeness Profane 2.6

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.9

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.9

23. Biological Surreal 2.9

24. Physical Surreal 2.9