Black Swan Quotes
A ballet dancer wins the lead in "Swan Lake" and is perfect for the role of the delicate White Swan - Princess Odette - but slowly loses her mind as she becomes more and more like Odile, the Black Swan.
Nina: I came to ask for the part.
Thomas Leroy: The truth is when I look at you all I see is the white swan. Yes you're beautiful, fearful, and fragile. Ideal casting. But the black swan? It's a hard fucking job to dance both.
Nina: I can dance the black swan, too.
Thomas Leroy: Really? In four years every time you dance I see you obsessed getting each and every move perfectly right but I never see you lose yourself. Ever! All that discipline for what?
Nina: [whispers] I just want to be perfect.
Thomas Leroy: What?
Nina: I want to be perfect.
Thomas Leroy: [scoffs] Perfection is not just about control. It's also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience. Transcendence! Very few have it in them.
Nina: I think I do have it in me.
Thomas Leroy: The truth is when I look at you all I see is the white swan. Yes you're beautiful, fearful, and fragile. Ideal casting. But the black swan? It's a hard fucking job to dance both.
Nina: I can dance the black swan, too.
Thomas Leroy: Really? In four years every time you dance I see you obsessed getting each and every move perfectly right but I never see you lose yourself. Ever! All that discipline for what?
Nina: [whispers] I just want to be perfect.
Thomas Leroy: What?
Nina: I want to be perfect.
Thomas Leroy: [scoffs] Perfection is not just about control. It's also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience. Transcendence! Very few have it in them.
Nina: I think I do have it in me.
Nina: You put something in my drink.
Lily: Yeah.
Nina: And then you just took off in the morning?
Lily: In the morning?
Nina: Yeah, you slept over.
Lily: [baffled] Um... no. Unless your name is Tom and you got a dick.
Nina: But we...
Lily: But we what, Nina?
[pause]
Lily: Wait... did you have some sort of lezzy wet dream about me?
Nina: [whispers] Stop it.
Lily: Oh my God? Oh my God! You did! You fantasized about me!
Nina: [embarassed] Shut up!
Lily: [gasps] Was I good?
Lily: Yeah.
Nina: And then you just took off in the morning?
Lily: In the morning?
Nina: Yeah, you slept over.
Lily: [baffled] Um... no. Unless your name is Tom and you got a dick.
Nina: But we...
Lily: But we what, Nina?
[pause]
Lily: Wait... did you have some sort of lezzy wet dream about me?
Nina: [whispers] Stop it.
Lily: Oh my God? Oh my God! You did! You fantasized about me!
Nina: [embarassed] Shut up!
Lily: [gasps] Was I good?
Nina: Beth! I'm so sorry to hear you're leaving the company.
Beth Macintyre: What did you do to get this role? He always said you were such a frigid little girl. What did you do to change his mind? Did you suck his cock?
Nina: Not all of us have to.
Beth Macintyre: [chuckles] You fucking whore! You're a fucking little whore!
Beth Macintyre: What did you do to get this role? He always said you were such a frigid little girl. What did you do to change his mind? Did you suck his cock?
Nina: Not all of us have to.
Beth Macintyre: [chuckles] You fucking whore! You're a fucking little whore!
Thomas Leroy: We all know the story. Virginal girl, pure and sweet, trapped in the body of a swan. She desires freedom but only true love can break the spell. Her wish is nearly granted in the form of a prince, but before he can declare his love her lustful twin, the black swan, tricks and seduces him. Devastated the white swan leaps of a cliff killing herself and, in death, finds freedom.
Erica: Shh, it's okay. I'm here. You were scratching all night.
Nina: Where's my clock?
Erica: Don't worry about that.
Nina: What time is it?
Erica: Shh.
Nina: My show is tonight.
Erica: No, no, no.
[pushes Nina back on the pillow]
Erica: No, don't worry. I called the theater and I told them you weren't feeling well.
Nina: [jumps out of bed] I have to go!
Erica: No, no lie down!
Nina: Let go of me!
[notices the door handle is missing]
Erica: You're staying in here until you feel better.
Nina: Where is it?
Erica: This role's destroying you.
Nina: Where's my clock?
Erica: Don't worry about that.
Nina: What time is it?
Erica: Shh.
Nina: My show is tonight.
Erica: No, no, no.
[pushes Nina back on the pillow]
Erica: No, don't worry. I called the theater and I told them you weren't feeling well.
Nina: [jumps out of bed] I have to go!
Erica: No, no lie down!
Nina: Let go of me!
[notices the door handle is missing]
Erica: You're staying in here until you feel better.
Nina: Where is it?
Erica: This role's destroying you.
Nina: What happened?
Thomas Leroy: She walked into the street and got hit by a car. And you know what? I'm almost sure she did it on purpose.
Nina: How do you know?
Thomas Leroy: Because everything Beth does comes from within. From some dark impulse. I guess that's what makes her so thrilling to watch. So dangerous. Even perfect at times, but also so damn destructive.
Thomas Leroy: She walked into the street and got hit by a car. And you know what? I'm almost sure she did it on purpose.
Nina: How do you know?
Thomas Leroy: Because everything Beth does comes from within. From some dark impulse. I guess that's what makes her so thrilling to watch. So dangerous. Even perfect at times, but also so damn destructive.
Andrew: You haven't told me who you are.
Nina: I'm a dancer.
Andrew: No, I meant your name.
Nina: Oh, Nina.
Tom: So are you two sisters?
Nina: No.
Lily: Yes! Blood sisters.
Nina: We dance in the same company.
Tom: Ah, ballerinas. No wonder you two look alike.
Lily: So, you know, Tom and Jerry here are gay lovers.
Andrew: I've never been to the ballet.
Lily: Well then you are definitely not gay.
Tom: I think it's kind of boring though, isn't it?
Nina: No it's not!
Lily: No. You know what? It's just not for everyone.
Nina: I'm a dancer.
Andrew: No, I meant your name.
Nina: Oh, Nina.
Tom: So are you two sisters?
Nina: No.
Lily: Yes! Blood sisters.
Nina: We dance in the same company.
Tom: Ah, ballerinas. No wonder you two look alike.
Lily: So, you know, Tom and Jerry here are gay lovers.
Andrew: I've never been to the ballet.
Lily: Well then you are definitely not gay.
Tom: I think it's kind of boring though, isn't it?
Nina: No it's not!
Lily: No. You know what? It's just not for everyone.
Thomas Leroy: Are you okay?
Nina: I'm fine.
Thomas Leroy: Nina.
Nina: What?
Thomas Leroy: I've already asked Lily.
Nina: Have you announced it?
[pauses]
Nina: After Beth do you really need another controversy? I'm here, Thomas. I'm doing it.
Thomas Leroy: The only person standing in your way is you. It's time to let her go. Lose yourself.
Nina: I'm fine.
Thomas Leroy: Nina.
Nina: What?
Thomas Leroy: I've already asked Lily.
Nina: Have you announced it?
[pauses]
Nina: After Beth do you really need another controversy? I'm here, Thomas. I'm doing it.
Thomas Leroy: The only person standing in your way is you. It's time to let her go. Lose yourself.
Thomas Leroy: What's going on?
Nina: [crying] Lily! You made her my alternate?
Thomas Leroy: Well there's always an alternate. Lily is the best choice.
Nina: No, but she wants my role.
Thomas Leroy: Every dancer in the world wants your role.
Nina: No, this is different. She's after me. She's trying to replace me!
Thomas Leroy: Nobody's after you.
Nina: [crying harder] No, please believe me!
Nina: [crying] Lily! You made her my alternate?
Thomas Leroy: Well there's always an alternate. Lily is the best choice.
Nina: No, but she wants my role.
Thomas Leroy: Every dancer in the world wants your role.
Nina: No, this is different. She's after me. She's trying to replace me!
Thomas Leroy: Nobody's after you.
Nina: [crying harder] No, please believe me!
Lily: I can't believe he calls her that. It's so gross.
Nina: I think it's sweet.
Lily: Little princess? He probably calls every girl that.
Nina: No way! That's just for Beth.
Lily: I bet he'll be calling you little princess any day now.
Nina: I don't know about that.
Lily: Sure he will. You just got to let him lick your pussy.
Nina: I think it's sweet.
Lily: Little princess? He probably calls every girl that.
Nina: No way! That's just for Beth.
Lily: I bet he'll be calling you little princess any day now.
Nina: I don't know about that.
Lily: Sure he will. You just got to let him lick your pussy.
Thomas Leroy: [yelling to Nina over rehearsal music] The final act. Your final dance! You've tasted your dream. Touched it! Only to have it crushed. Your heart is broken. Wounded! Your life force fading. The blood drips. The black swan stole your love! There is only one way to end the pain. You're not fearful, but filled with acceptance! And you look down at Rothbart and then at the Prince. And then yes, and the audience! And then you jump!
[Nina hesitates]
Thomas Leroy: Go ahead, jump! You'll be fine. Jump!
[Nina hesitates]
Thomas Leroy: Go ahead, jump! You'll be fine. Jump!
Thomas Leroy: I don't want there to be any boundaries between us.
Nina: No, me neither.
Thomas Leroy: So, you got a boyfriend?
Nina: No.
Thomas Leroy: And you've had many in the past?
Nina: A few but no one serious.
Thomas Leroy: You're not a virgin are you?
Nina: [nervously] No.
Thomas Leroy: So there is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Nina: No, me neither.
Thomas Leroy: So, you got a boyfriend?
Nina: No.
Thomas Leroy: And you've had many in the past?
Nina: A few but no one serious.
Thomas Leroy: You're not a virgin are you?
Nina: [nervously] No.
Thomas Leroy: So there is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Thomas Leroy: If I was only casting the white swan she'd be yours. But I'm not. Maestro, Odile's Coda please. Now show me your black swan, Nina.
[during her dance]
Thomas Leroy: Not so controlled. Seduce us! Not just the prince but the court, but the audience, the entire world. Come on! Your fouettés are like a spider spinning a web. Attack it! Attack it! Come on!
[during her dance]
Thomas Leroy: Not so controlled. Seduce us! Not just the prince but the court, but the audience, the entire world. Come on! Your fouettés are like a spider spinning a web. Attack it! Attack it! Come on!
Erica: Has he tried anything with you? He has a reputation. I have a right to be concerned, Nina. You've been staying late so many nights rehearsing. I hope he isn't taking advantage.
Nina: He's not.
Erica: Good. I just don't want you to make the same mistake I did.
Nina: Thanks.
Erica: Not like that. I just mean as far as my career was concerned.
Nina: What career?
Erica: The one I gave up to have you.
Nina: You were 28 and only in.
[stops]
Erica: Only what?
Nina: Nothing.
Erica: What!
Nina: Nothing.
Nina: He's not.
Erica: Good. I just don't want you to make the same mistake I did.
Nina: Thanks.
Erica: Not like that. I just mean as far as my career was concerned.
Nina: What career?
Erica: The one I gave up to have you.
Nina: You were 28 and only in.
[stops]
Erica: Only what?
Nina: Nothing.
Erica: What!
Nina: Nothing.
Erica: Do you have any idea what time it is?
Nina: [drunk] Uh... late?
Erica: Where have you been?
Nina: To the moon!
Lily: And back.
Erica: You've been drinking.
Nina: Ding ding ding ding!
Erica: What else?
Nina: Huh?
Erica: [raises voice] What else have you been doing?
Nina: Oh, you want to know their names?
[laughs]
Erica: You need to sleep this off.
Nina: No, there were two. There was Tom, there was Jerry.
[laughing]
Erica: [interrupts] Be quiet, Nina!
Nina: And I fucked them both!
Erica: [yells] Shut your mouth!
Nina: [drunk] Uh... late?
Erica: Where have you been?
Nina: To the moon!
Lily: And back.
Erica: You've been drinking.
Nina: Ding ding ding ding!
Erica: What else?
Nina: Huh?
Erica: [raises voice] What else have you been doing?
Nina: Oh, you want to know their names?
[laughs]
Erica: You need to sleep this off.
Nina: No, there were two. There was Tom, there was Jerry.
[laughing]
Erica: [interrupts] Be quiet, Nina!
Nina: And I fucked them both!
Erica: [yells] Shut your mouth!
Nina: What are you doing here?
Lily: I just came by to apologize. You're right, I should have never spoken to him about you.
Erica: [interrupts] Sweetheart.
Nina: Give me a second.
Erica: Your dinner.
Nina: Mom! Please?
Lily: Oh, she's a trip.
[chuckles]
Nina: How do you know where I live?
Lily: I have my ways.
[notices Nina's nervousness]
Lily: Jesus, relax! I got it from Susie in the office. Look, I just feel really shitty about what I did and I just really want to make it up to you, so how about I take you out to dinner?
Nina: I don't think...
Lily: [interrupts] Ok, that's fine! What about drinks?
Erica: Sweetie, you need to rest.
Lily: [chuckles] Jesus!
Nina: Wait.
[goes into the apartment to grab shoes and a coat]
Erica: What are you doing?
Nina: Going out!
Lily: I just came by to apologize. You're right, I should have never spoken to him about you.
Erica: [interrupts] Sweetheart.
Nina: Give me a second.
Erica: Your dinner.
Nina: Mom! Please?
Lily: Oh, she's a trip.
[chuckles]
Nina: How do you know where I live?
Lily: I have my ways.
[notices Nina's nervousness]
Lily: Jesus, relax! I got it from Susie in the office. Look, I just feel really shitty about what I did and I just really want to make it up to you, so how about I take you out to dinner?
Nina: I don't think...
Lily: [interrupts] Ok, that's fine! What about drinks?
Erica: Sweetie, you need to rest.
Lily: [chuckles] Jesus!
Nina: Wait.
[goes into the apartment to grab shoes and a coat]
Erica: What are you doing?
Nina: Going out!
Erica: Sounds like quite an evening. Wish I could have been there.
Nina: You know I asked.
Erica: I know you did, Susie told me. I guess he wanted you all to himself.
Nina: That's not why.
Erica: I don't blame him.
[looks at Nina's earrings]
Erica: Where did you get these?
Nina: They're fake.
Erica: Fooled me.
Nina: [reacts to Erica undressing her] I can do it!
Erica: He must have been by your side all night showing you off.
Nina: You know I asked.
Erica: I know you did, Susie told me. I guess he wanted you all to himself.
Nina: That's not why.
Erica: I don't blame him.
[looks at Nina's earrings]
Erica: Where did you get these?
Nina: They're fake.
Erica: Fooled me.
Nina: [reacts to Erica undressing her] I can do it!
Erica: He must have been by your side all night showing you off.
Erica: You're working yourself too hard. We all have off days.
Nina: If that girl hadn't barged in.
Erica: I'm sure she didn't mean to. Remember when you first started? If I hadn't taken you to each of your classes you would have been completely lost.
Nina: I'm going to talk to him tomorrow and tell him I finished it.
Erica: You don't need to lie. You won't convince him one way or the other.
[pauses]
Erica: Sweetheart, I know it's disappointing. You start getting older there's all this ridiculous pressure. God knows I understand. But it's alright.
Nina: If that girl hadn't barged in.
Erica: I'm sure she didn't mean to. Remember when you first started? If I hadn't taken you to each of your classes you would have been completely lost.
Nina: I'm going to talk to him tomorrow and tell him I finished it.
Erica: You don't need to lie. You won't convince him one way or the other.
[pauses]
Erica: Sweetheart, I know it's disappointing. You start getting older there's all this ridiculous pressure. God knows I understand. But it's alright.
Thomas Leroy: You all have had the chance and the privilege to be enchanted, transported, and even sometimes devastated by the performances of this true artist of our company. She's been a crucial inspiration to my work. A role model to all dancers and even more than that a deeply appreciated presence on our stage. You all know who I'm talking about. Ladies and gentlemen, Beth Macintyre.
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