Reflections and Mirrors in Black Swan

Among some of Black Swan's excellent motifs, I think my favorite would have to be reflections--either reflections of yourself in a mirror or of yourself in other people, or, even, reflections you see of other people. I'm not really sure if "motif" is actually the right word, seeing as though its physical image is not as consistent as motifs or symbols usually are. Reflections can be physical, but they also provoke something that's more deeply psychologically ingrained.

The first occurrence of a reflection that struck me was around five minutes into the movie, when Nina's mother notices Nina's scratch on her shoulder. Nina looks into the mirror to inspect her back, and when her mother asks her, "What's that?", she simply replies "Nothing," shrugging it off. Her mother leans in to hug her, then glances back up to look at the mirror, and for a split second her expression turns--her eyebrows tighten, lips purse, and eyes glare. Does she see something in the mirror, possibly foreshadowing Nina's transforming shoulders? We don't know, because the scene cuts to Nina's reflection in the dark subway window. (Side note: I love the sound effects in this movie too, and if you listen closely you can hear wings flapping when she turns her head). When she turns, she spots another female who looks oddly similar to her (who is wearing black; Nina is wearing white) and is mirroring her actions. This reflection of herself is not produced through mirrors, but more of a projection of herself onto someone else.

Part of the reason why reflections seem so relevant to Black Swan is obviously the emphasis on aesthetics and visual beauty. But reflections also resonate with the movie's theme of identity. Many times, when Nina thinks she notices herself in another person, she's worried that her identity is being compromised; her uniqueness is on the line, and she hates the possibility that other people could be better than her. Reflections force her to confront herself upfront and mark changes in the way that she perceives herself. Two scenes come to mind: one in which she puts on the black camisole over her grey one in a bathroom, and one where her reflection morphs into her grotesque, evil side.

I think that the smart camera work Natalie Portman's talents really lent themselves to producing an excellently profound movie, which I think made all of us question, at least in some way or another, our own identity.

-Carrie