Quotes

Dialogue

Nina: I came to ask for the part. Thomas: 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: Really? In 4 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: What? Nina: I want to be perfect. Thomas: [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.

Dialogue

Nina: Beth! I'm so sorry to hear you're leaving the company. Beth: What did you do to get this role? [about Thomas] 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: [chuckles] You fucking whore! You're a fucking little whore!

Dialogue

Erica: [about Thomas] 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 herself] Erica: Only in what? Nina: Nothing. Erica: What? Nina: Nothing.

Dialogue

Thomas: You could be brilliant, but you're a coward. Nina: I'm sorry. Thomas: [yelling] Now stop saying that! That's exactly what I'm talking about. Stop being so fucking weak!

Dialogue

Lily: [about Beth] 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.

Dialogue

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: Um, no. Unless your name is Tom and you got a dick. Nina: But we. Lily: But we what, Nina? [pauses] 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: Shut up! Lily: [gasps] Was I good?

Dialogue

Thomas: What's going on? Nina: [crying] Lily! You made her my alternate? Thomas: Well there's always an alternate. Lily is the best choice. Nina: No, but she wants my role. Thomas: Every dancer in the world wants your role. Nina: No, this is different. She's after me. She's trying to replace me! Thomas: Nobody's after you. Nina: [crying harder] No, please believe me!

Dialogue

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. 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! Erica: You're staying in here until you feel better. Nina: Where is it? Erica: This role's destroying you. Erica: No! Please! You're not well! Nina: [yelling] Let go of me! Erica: You can't handle this! Nina: I can't? I'm the Swan Queen, you're the one who never left the corps!

Dialogue

Thomas: Are you okay? Nina: I'm fine. Thomas: Nina. Nina: What? Thomas: I've already asked Lily. Nina: Have you announced it? [pauses] After Beth do you really need another controversy? I'm here, Thomas. I'm doing it. Thomas: [impressed] The only person standing in your way is you. It's time to let her go. Lose yourself.

Dialogue

Erica: What Happened to my Sweet girl? Nina: She's gone!