NSSD: Ballet Makes You EVIL
For those wondering, Black Swan is rather like a traditional fairy tale told in contemporary terms. No mysticism or magic or wonder, but a lot of spooky things happening for reasons that don't make any sense to the principle character - but are pretty evident to the audience. There is a handsome (and unfaithful) prince, there's a trapped virginal girl, there's a wicked (single) mother, there's even a cripped crone (where crone is a qualitative term given the community under scrutiny). Blood, of course, and darkness. And misunderstood lust.
And Wynona Rider looking so wrecked I didn't even recognize her, but the director is good at casting that kind of thing.
I doubt it really makes oscar material, but it's good crafting of some pretty basic fairy tale themes into a non-sentimental, real world story.
-12th
Postscript: For those seeking something to ground Ms. Portman outside of art house cinema, you can just watch this.