Formative Performances: Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

[The following is a guest post from abovethetitle.]

I am obsessed with today’s entry. There is usually one performance per year that I simply can’t get enough of and last year was all about Natalie Portman in “Black Swan.” Her Nina is a woman battling an obsession of her own – her quest for perfection. Playing into folklore about dopplegangers, Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller takes full advantage of all of Portman’s gifts as a performer, using her doe eyes and grace to convey Nina’s descent into madness.

My absolute favorite scene is actually right after this one but I haven’t been able to find it on YouTube. It’s when Nina comes offstage in an absolute trance having finally been perfect. The look on Portman’s face in that one shot alone makes her worthy for mention in this list.