Just rented the movie "Black Swan". Will I be thrilled because I love dance so much or will I be

[applegrove]

grossed out by the darkness?

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

1. There are better dance films than this mess

Rent the Red Shoes instead.

[applegrove]

2. Too late for tonight but I'll keep your suggestion in mind.

[DinahMoeHum]

3. Also rent "The Turning Point" if you can.

"The Turning Point" and "Red Shoes" are THE 2 definitive fictional movies about ballet (IMO)

[applegrove]

4. Thanks for your suggestions.

[laconicsax]

7. Forget "The Turning Point." It's boring and not very good. Get "Centerstage" instead.

It's basically the same movie, but watchable.

[Chan790]

5. Depends.

Are you under the illusion that the 99% of work offstage that goes into being a ballet dancer is as glamorous as the 1% that is onstage appears to be? Or in denial that professional ballerinas are by-necessity masochists? It's not a pretty movie but it does reflect the fuckedupness of the psyche of many the professional dancer.

(I used to date one...she was unsuccessful by her own assessment and that of her teachers, directors and peers because she refused to be anorexic and couldn't overcome the need to seek medical attention when seriously injured (tears, dislocations and breaks; not minor injuries) rather than persevere.) The movie, minus the murder and sex, does kind of accurately reflect the interior life of the average prima ballerina.

[laconicsax]

6. You'll be thrilled by the fact that it's an outstanding movie.

It isn't a "dance" movie, it's a psychological thriller about a ballerina.

When I saw it, there was a group of teenage girls who left before the title credits had finished popping up on screen. By that point, only the tone had been set.

[Orrex]

8. You had me at Natalie Portman

[applegrove]

9. I didn't find it scary or terribly dark at all. Then I must say I've been through lots and am

on medication so perhaps I'm not affected by dark movies like I used to be. I really liked it.

[sarge43]

10. Just watched it

Didn't think it was all that dark. It was a gritty, sexual take off of The Red Shoes with a touch of All About Eve. Wasn't bad, but overhyped.

[Patiod]

11. It made me mad

It was like Fight Club, only with tutus. I hated it. The friend I went with, who has excellent taste in movies and literature, loved it.

I think it's one of those movies that a lot of people either loved or hated.

[sarge43]

12. Fight Club with tutus - excellent.

You're no doubt right-not neutral which, give it its due, is a refreshing change from most movies.