As a parent of a 15 year old, we left during the taxi scene between the two main characters. This is a bizarre movie that is not recommended for anyone under 17, and even my 19 year old was not impressed. Just plain wierd! Nothing positive to say at all.

(Spoilers may be ahead.) You can only be perfect in death. That's exactly what this ersatz thriller by Darren Aronofsky embodies. Aronofsky is one of the best filmmakers of our time; he's done several other films, like ? (Pi), Requiem for a Dream and The Wrestler that chronicle their realistic characters' falls from grace through obsessions with mathematical patterns, drug addiction and wrestling (respectively). But Black Swan, arguably his best film since Requiem, tackles the subject of the pursuit of perfection in the world of ballet. Natalie Portman is finally in a role that she could easily win Best Actress for. This role is as Nina, a dancer in her mid-20's whose life is pretty much consumed by dancing. She doesn't put any joy into it, according to her choreographer Thomas (played by Vincent Cassel in one of the most underrated performances this year). But she still convinces him to give her the role of the Swan Princess, since she's the perfect embodiment of the White Swan: fragile, joyless, and innocent. But her Black Swan doppelganger, Lily (Mila Kunis in an extremely Oscar-deserving performance) comes into the picture - and Nina believes she must do everything she can to not let Lily steal part. This is all in her head, though - as are several parts of Black Swan. Although this is an excellent and intense film about ballet, its mix of sex and horrifically disturbing images make Black Swan a very, very poor choice for anyone under at least 16 (or 14, if VERY MATURE). There are two clearly implied scenes where Nina masturbates. In one, she's clothed and in a bed, and the other takes place in a bathtub. We see a bit of thrusting in the former, while the latter shows a bit of nudity (though the worst we see is her stomach). This scene ends when she sees some blood dripping into the water. Nina also is seen with only her panties on at least twice; her hands cover her breasts. Also, there's that hyped (imaginary) tryst between Nina and Lily that involves oral sex. There's no nudity, but it's extremely clear what's being done. Also, Thomas touches Nina's (clothed) crotch and forces her to kiss him a couple of times. Dancers are seen in skintight leotards (but since this is a film about ballet, that's to be expected). But it's not the sex that has the potential to disturb (unless you're conservative); it's the violence and bloody images that permeate Black Swan. Right off the bat, Nina's feet are covered in raw skin and slightly bloody blisters, and she cracks a toenail. Later, she imagines ripping a large piece of hanging skin off her finger, with bloody results. She also imagines growing feathers out of a scratch on her back, and even pulls one out. Nina also has a run-in with a ballet dancer who just had a car accident, and her injury is shown in close-up. (POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD) In a second visit, this dancer stabs herself in the face repeatedly with a nail file. But in the climax of the film, it appears that Nina stabs Lily in the stomach under pressure. It is revealed that Nina actually stabbed herself, and she dies at the end. (END SPOILERS.) There's also some R-rated profanity; about 14 f-bombs are dropped, the anatomical terms "c*ck" and "p*ssy" are both used, and there's some more mild profanity. Finally, Lily and Nina smoke in the dance studio (even though it isn't allowed), and they both get drunk and take hallucinogen pills in a bar, which ends up fueling Nina's insanity. Overall...well...not much left to say about how great this one is. But this is definitely not a movie for young ballet lovers; it's a film showing a great's descent into insanity.

brilliant filmmaking! this movie will make you feel sick or unnerved after watching, but that is EXACTLY what the director wants! Every minute of the film was extremely good and done in good taste. The sex scene was not as graphic as others in theatres now a day, and is usually under fire just because its between 2 women. the parts that will make parents nervous is the creepy images and twisting plot. aside from that its ok for kids 16 and up. (15 if they are mature)

I took my son to go see that masterpiece of a film after him asking for me to go see it with him, considering we are both movie lovers, my wife, my son and I went to see this film and found it very entertaining but disturbing. The emotional tormant some of the characters are under is awful and the sexual content my be a little over the edge, but children now adays see sex as a part of modern culture and it's a now adays natural occurance in film. I recommend thsi film for ages 15 and up as just entertainment, but it is a deeper thriller and that is one factor of it I enjoyed a lot.

I thought this movie was the writer's own erotic prono fantasy. There is so much masturbating in this movie I was discussed. As an adult I would not even see such filth. Don't waste ur time or money. DO NOT let kids under 18 see it...

This is a great movie that depicts a mental illness. It just shows how much dancing can really take over your life. All actors are wonderful. I recommend this to much older teens with mature minds. Without a mature mind, you will not understand this movie.

Black Swan lived up to its reputation. This mind blowing experience will knock your socks off, and you wont be able to find them. Black Swan is violent, sensual, and thrilling. Some scenes, one in particular, borders on lesbian pornography. The dance instructor feels Nina's clothed breast and Vagina. There is also a lot of language such as, c**k, the infamous c**t, f**k (To be expected) and minors such as d**n, h**l, b***h.. This is a raw and gritty look into the mysterious world of NY ballet, all I can say is be prepared, and if you can handle it, watch it.

i thought it rather disgusting

The movie starts off slow, but if you pay attention you follow everything that's going on. The movie was very well done, and Natalie Portman did deserve the oscar. Her performance was spectacular.