Are Films "Black Swan" and "Burlesque" More Alike Than We Think? (Hmmm...)

"Burlesque" and "Black Swan"---two drastically different films with little more in common than dancing. The latter, starring Natalie Portman went "triple platinum" in Movie World; and the actress went home with an Oscar. Christina Aguilera (star of "Burlesque") on the other hand, didn't exactly score any awards for her peppy role.

But I know what you're thinking. How in the world could one compare these two films? One is so obviously designed to tantalize on unpretentious levels. The other film is "Black Swan." In fact, "Burlesque" was probably supposed to be Christina Aguilera's "Black Swan"; it just didn't quite work out that way.

All bad jokes aside, I've developed a love/hate relationship with both of these movies. Satisfying my love of dark things Natalie Portman's film, a neo-noir thriller set in the ballet world. The movie is slightly Hitchockian, sort of "Carrie" meets "Donnie Darko." And "Burlesque" is pretty much like a trip through a candy shop.

Despite extreme disparities between the two films, there are some striking similarities.

Both characters have an arch-nemesis.

There is a strangely enticing thing about the relationship between professional dancers and their understudies. Both dance flicks focus on the "Showgirls-like" rivalry between the star and the understudy waiting in the wings.

Both characters have a hard-nosed mentor/coach.

Both Ali (Aguilera) and Nina (Portman) have someone in the film to lean on for support and guidance. Based Thomas's (Vincent Cassel) deliciously "unorthodox" manner of coaching the dancers, I have the feeling I'd much rather be mentored by him, rather than Cher (who plays Tess).

Both Ali and Nina experience painful transformations.

We watched Natalie Portman change into an evil black bird. And we watched Christina change into one bad lace front wig to the next. It's pretty obvious which transformation is the most significant.

Both films thrive off sexual tension.

The sexual tension in "Black Swan" is thick enough to spread on an English muffin. (Who knew that ballerinas were such deviant, sexual creatures?) One might think that a film called "Burlesque" would literally be oozing with saucy sexual innuendo. But alas, Christina and her bedazzled crew are somehow less tantalizing than the flock of tutu'd swans.

Both films work their way up to the "big number."

Both "Black Swan" and "Burlesque" lean heavily on the build up to the big finale. For this is the main character's time to shine. The moments surrounding any "big number" are bursting with apprehension. This is what makes dancing in movies work. In Xtina's case, the glittery delivery has no real effect on the ending outside of providing the requisite eye candy. But "Black Swan's" finale is not only provocative, but also clearly symbolic.

Both movies contain an extremely "uncomfortable" moment.

There are few things more embarrassing than being caught in bed with your boyfriend, by his fiancee---an unfortunate scene in "Burlesque." In "Black Swan," Nina decides to take Thomas's advice, to get more in touch with herself in the hopes of bringing her Swan Lake character to life. During one of the film's presumably more erotic scenes, Nina pleasures herself in her bedroom, not realizing that her mother has fallen asleep in the chair nearby. So what's creepier? Having a private diddle session in a room full of stuffed bunnies? Or having a private diddle session in a room full of stuffed bunnies, ten feet away from your sleeping mother? ~shudder~