Every holiday season in the Northwest, we look forward to The Nutcracker. This year, however, we have another Ballet event to be excited about...BLACK SWAN, from Fox Searchlight Pictures! It comes out in Seattle and Portland on December 10th and features Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis embroiled the dark world of professional ballet.
Just for fun, let's look at some similarities and differences between these two stories of drama and dance this holiday season:
The Nutcracker: An epic battle between mice and gingerbread soldiers takes place on Christmas eve. The Nutcracker leads the gingerbread soldiers but is wounded by the Mouse King who is only stopped when a little girl throws her slipper at him.
Black Swan: An epic battle between two dancers at a ballet company for the leading role on their production of The Swan Princess. Natalie Portman is the pure white swan and Mila Kunis is the passionate black swan. Somebody is wounded...or are both wounded? We don't really know but what we do know is that only ONE can have the lead role. There aren't any slippers thrown that we know of but there is sure to be some broken glass.
The Nutcracker: The nutcracker turns into a prince
Black Swan: Does Natalie Portman turn into the Black Swan...we don't really know yet.
The Nutcracker: Ends with a joyful dance between the leading lady and the prince.
Black Swan: Ends with a dance
We all know the story of The Nutcracker but BLACK is still a mystery. So go see it on December 10th and you too can make your own fun comparisons!
Cheers!
Sara
