10 Ways Darren Aronofsky Basically Remade The Wrestler In Black Swan

4. Obsession & Compulsion

Perhaps an obvious one, but it still deserves a section to itself. Just as obsession played a part in Aronofsky's first feature film, Pi, it has continued to do so through his entire body of work. In a nutshell, Randy and Nina are addicted to their profession and their craft. When Randy is away from the ring, it is all he thinks about. While he pays for a lap dance from Cassidy, he reminisces about his moment of glory against old foe, The Ayatollah. He plays Nintendo with the kid down the street (or from the other side of the trailer park), playing as himself on a dated pro-wrestling game; and when he slices his finger at the deli, he realises that he can't live without his wrestling, and returns to the ring for his swan-song. Nina finds herself in a similar situation - quite literally eating, sleeping and breathing ballet. She controls her diet rigorously and spends hours upon hours practising and stretching in front of the mirror; so much that it results in injury. Libatique's long shots when she sits alone in the deserted studio reveal a deep-rooted compulsion to succeed, superseding that of her peers (though it also manifests itself in Beth, leading to her hospitalisation and breakdown).