PLOT A New York City ballet company is preparing for the production of Swan Lake, choosing to cast a new lead to replace current star Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) as the Swan Queen. However, the lead must maintain an adequate portrayal of both the White and Black Swans. Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a dancer, is picked to compete for the part alongside several other young dancers, including newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis). Nina lives with her caring but overbearing mother Erica (Barbara Hershey), a failed dancer turned amateur artist who tries to control much of Nina's life. The ballet director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel), is reluctant to cast Nina; he claims that she is the perfect White Swan, with perfect technique, but that she lacks the passion of the darkly sensual Black Swan. During a confrontation over the role, Thomas kisses her, and she bites his lip, surprising and exhilarating him; directly after, he casts her in the lead. He presents her as his new star during a ...