Black Swan Quotes

Erica: What happened to my sweet girl?

Nina: She's gone!

[last lines]

Thomas Leroy: Nina, what did you do?

Nina: I felt it. Perfect. It was perfect.

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 fucking little whore!

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: 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.

Nina: It's sad.

Veronica: What's sad?

Nina: Beth's such a beautiful dancer.

Galina: Yeah, so is my grandmother.

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!

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!

Thomas Leroy: You could be brilliant, but you're a coward.

Nina: I'm sorry.

Thomas Leroy: [yelling] Now stop saying that! That's exactly what I'm talking about. Stop being so fucking weak!

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.

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: 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?

Erica: You're in a good mood.

Nina: He promised to feature me more this season.

Erica: Well, he certainly should. You've been there long enough and you're the most dedicated dancer in the company.

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.

Lily: I don't think we ever officially met. I'm Lily.

Nina: Hi, Nina.

Lily: Yes, our new swan queen! You must be so excited. Are you freaking out?

Nina: [chuckles] Yeah.

Lily: Yeah, it's okay. I would be losing my mind.

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.

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.

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.

Lily: A rough start, huh? Must have been pretty humiliating.

Nina: Get out of my room!

Lily: See, I'm just worried about the next act. I'm not sure you're feeling up to it.

Nina: Stop. Please stop!

Lily: How about I dance the black swan for you?

Lily: So, how is he? Thomas?

Nina: I wouldn't know.

Lily: Oh come on.

Nina: I really don't want to talk about that.

Lily: [sarcastically] Ah, okay! You really need to relax.

Thomas Leroy: Can you tell me what the fuck happened?

[yells in French]

Nina: I wasn't my fault. He dropped me!

Thomas Leroy: It's a fucking disaster!

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.

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!

Erica: [yelling] Nina!

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 Sayers: What's she doing here?

Lily: He made me your alternate.

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: It's just a rash.

Erica: [panicking] A rash? What are you talking about?

Nina: It was worse a few days ago. It's fine already.

Erica: You've been scratching yourself again.

Thomas Leroy: And you enjoy making love?

Nina: [surprised] Excuse me?

Thomas Leroy: Oh come on, sex! Do you enjoy it?

[Nina nervously laughs]

Thomas Leroy: Well, we need to be able to talk about this.

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.

Erica: You'll probably get to dance the Pas de Quatre again. That's such a wonderful part. Or maybe he'll make you a big swan. Either way, you'll shine.

Nina: I know.

Erica: Everything will be better in the morning. It always is.

[whispers]

Erica: Sweet girl.

Lily: Oh, soloists?

[Nina nods]

Lily: Great! I fuckin' missed my stop. Had to hoof it all the way from 79th.

Veronica: [whispering] Who's that?

Galina: It's that girl from San Francisco.

Lily: [nervously chuckles] Hey?

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!

[first lines]

Nina Sayers: I had the craziest dream last night. I was dancing the White Swan.

Nina: Should I go again?

Thomas Leroy: No thanks Nina! I've seen enough.

Thomas Leroy: Go get warmed up!

Lily: No it's okay, I'm good!

[Thomas is going to meet Karen Holloway]

Thomas Leroy: [to Nina] A minute more of ass-kissing. I'll be back. Wait for me here, all right?

Sexy Waiter Scott: Cheeseburger, extra bloody.

Lily: Mmm, danke schoen.

Sexy Waiter Scott: Let me know if that's juicy enough for ya.

Lily: Oh, I will.

Sexy Waiter Scott: You got enough... cheese?

Lily: No, but you do.