I found it to be a little gory a little spooky and very weird. Although it's not my kind of movie, I can appreciate it for what it is. I can see why Natalie Portman was nominated, but to say if she deserves the Oscar I'll have to see the other movies she's up against.

My question: did they lay some heavy duty make up on Barbara Hershey or does she actually look like that now? She used to be really beautiful. Watching this, I didn't even recognize her till I looked at the credits!

My movie group went to see it and we all thought it was a wonderful movie. We were told not to see it with a man ahead of time (not that we were planning on it anyway). The acting was superb and I loved the music they chose to accompany the crazy scenes. It is not a movie I would care to see a second time but I'm glad I saw it. I think you either liked it or hated it. There doesn't seem to be any in between.

I totally agree ,Georgy,. I loved it, but I was told my a friend that friends of hers walked out. What was not to like? Performances were outstanding, the ballet was wonderful, and the plot was interesting. Portman definitely deserves the Oscar as she received in last night's SAG and the GG's. It was dark and depressing , but I'm a dark and depressing kind of gal..lol. Hershey was unrecognizable but did a fabulous job. I have seen all the movies nominated and think Kings Speech and Social Network are the best by far but Swan was right up there and will win for the actor's performances. BTW..I did go with husband. He was less thrilled. Not a ballet kinda guy.

I haven't seen it but my exchange student, Maria did the other night with friends. She thought it was weird and didn't understand it at all. I still want to see it.

A friend who saw it felt the same as you, Sooey. I haven't been tempted because it didn't sound like my kind of movie. For one thing, whether it's a book or a movie or a TV show, I need to care what happens to somebody in it.

I think you either liked it or hated it, no in between. I like movies that push the button and are exceptionally well acted. Fabulous performances by everyone. In the reviews which I read before every movie, it scored in the 90%s for audiences who saw it and critics alike. .

I saw it alone. Like Natalie's performance. She practiced ballet for a year just to get ready for this part. I liked the plot that you saw her growing madness from her eyes. You indeed did not know what was real and what was imagined and the speed of her paranoia grew faster toward the end. I didn't recognize Barbara Hershey at all. Nor Winona Rider as the suicidal ex-star. I thought it was an excellent film. Don't expect it to sweep the Oscars. The other nine movies are so good, too.

DH and I saw it and liked it. I thought it was pretty clear what was going on, nothing confusing. It was the story of a ballerina with some mommy issues who was pushed to the brink by her need for perfection. I thought the parts that were delusions were pretty obvious. Acting was superb, but the best part to me was the music. I love Swan Lake, it reminds me the creature feature movies we used to watch when we were kids.

I thought it was an excellent movie, although I found it very hard to watch at times - it was not fun watching mental illness happen.

It tracked the descent of a young woman into mental illness as she succumbed to the pressure of being the top ballerina in the company. From that standpoint, Portman did a superb job. She gave a very realistic performance.

The supporting cast was great, the photography was very good, the soundtrack was very good.

I wouldn't see it again.

The answers will be spoilers for those who haven't seen it yet, so to those people don't read any further.

Did she really turn into a swan or was that a delusion, i.e. the picking of feathers out of her skin I see in the previews. Also, I read a review that mentioned possible molestation by the mother????

Delusion.

Don't know about the mother.

I probably will not see this. Had quite enough with "The Red Shoes" ages ago!

DH and I are about to finish the last half of "The Extra Man". So far we have found it touching and are laughing our socks off, but I have a feeling there's more 'a-foot' before it ends. lol I see it cost seven million to make and only took in dimes. Kevin Kline is hilarious; a great, ham-it-up part.

havent' seen it... but I did go looking for Barbara Hershy! LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: Barbara Hershey

Chisue, you'll enjoy Extra Man. I think it doesn't hold together as well as it might have, but overall, we enjoyed it.

Thanks for that link to Barbara Hershey. Whew! She does still look good. They did a good make up job on her. I did recognize Winona Ryder, but the people I watched the movie with did not and almost didn't want to believe it was her!

I didn't care for Extra Man.

Hub and I saw Black Swan together and loved it!

sushipup -- I have a feeling the DVD release is missing some of the original "Extra Man" -- maybe to tone down the 'gay' that evidently turned so many away from the theaters. We liked it. I need to ask DIL's psychiatrist sister if she's seen it. (Early losses of "Mom". Stuck in childhood.)