Aronofsky’s films stay with the viewer – the mark of artistry in cinema. That said, this film didn’t blow my mind as it seems to have done to many a movie-goer out there.

Though admirable in that the camera work is intrusive, almost obsessive, allowing the viewer to experience every bit of Nina’s pathology; admirable in the acting… Aronofsky’s famous back-shots, his claustrophobic framing, it’s all in there; it is a tale told in cliches and at the end of the day we have seen the unhinged, overbearing mother before (Mommy Dearest, The Manchurian Candidate, Flowers in the Attic, Carrie..) the artistic rivalry (All About Eve), the demanding theater director , the diva who is too old and gets the boot, and the slow deterioration of the psyche…

However, Aronofsky handles these cliches well putting together a story that keeps the viewer’s full attention…There are even one or two shock factors thrown in to get his point across or to keep the movie-goers talking, in the very least. Besides, the demands of a ballet is an interesting topic and many of us who’ve been endowed with morbid curiosity are more than happy to watch the going-ons behind the curtains of a ballet theater. The anorexia, the broken toes, the competition… We stare at the screen wide-eyed and wonder why people would go through this for the sake of art.

It is a good follow-up to “The Wrestler” in terms of Aronofsky being able to tread the boundary between artistry and mass appeal and make a buck or two. Good move.

Despite the film not blowing my mind (having read so many rave reviews), it is worth watching.