Black Swan
Structure:
Entertainment:
Beginning with Thomas’ decision to usurp previous ingénue Beth (Winona Ryder) and ending with Nina’s decision to carry on the performance regardless of her physical predicament, Black Swan weaves a dizzying and darkly satisfying psychological thriller in and around one New York ballet company’s production of Tchaikovsky’s tragic tale (Story Driver of Decision).
While Guardian Thomas (Vincent Cassel) fulfills his objective role by helping Protagonist Nina (Natalie Portman) pursue her goal of performing the role of a lifetime (OS Goal of Being), it is the relationship with sultry newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis) that represents the true and twisted heart of this story. Lily, a natural seductress for the titular role, has been around the block a few times whereas Nina, held in check by an overbearing and well past her years mother (MC Throughline of Situation), appears almost virginal in her ability to communicate emotion through dance (Relationship Throughline Issue of Experience). Only by allowing Lily to open her up and free her from mental constraints (Impact Character Concern of Preconscious) can Nina truly grow into the kind of dancer her mother always dreamt for her (Main Character Growth of Start).
While there are indications of an impending deadline, it is less that Nina embody the spirit of the Black Swan by opening night, and more that she cast aside the voices in her that prevent her from doing so that brings this story to a climax (Story Limit of Optionlock). It is only once she accepts without proof that she has silenced the last voice for good (Main Character Solution of Trust) that she is finally able to perform The Black Swan like never before (Story Outcome of Success) — bringing a Triumphant end to her struggle for “perfection” (Story Judgment of Good).
Change, Start, Do-er, Male, Decision, Optionlock, Success, Good, Psychology, Being, Desire, Test
Note:
Wondering what these strangely intriguing terms (MC Issue, Story Goal) are all about? They are concepts covered by Dramatica -- a theory that sees story as an analogy to human psychology. Combined together they create what is known as a storyform: essentially, a structural skeleton of thematic dynamics and story points that communicate the meaning of the work in question.