I totally believe that they Photoshopped NatP's face onto a pro ballerina's body for Black Swan. Why not? For My Fair Lady, they had Audrey Hepburn lip-sync to a pro singer's voice. Does it take anything away from that classic flick? Not in my book.

Rarely do you get the whole package---a pro dancer who just happens to be a name pro actress, as well. Allowances have to be made. Would you prefer a sub-par performance? NatP tripping about pretending to be a big shot ballerina?  I wouldn't. Without such allowances, the whole production would suffer. The error, of course, is in bullshitting about it. If they'd said up front that a pro stand-in had done some of Portman's dancing, nobody would've liked the film any less. 

Check out Jack Nicholson's singing chops in Tommy. Or Cybill Shepherd's singing in At Long Last Love. Nicholson is a master actor; Shepherd is OK. But neither one of them could carry a tune in a cast-iron bucket. As a result, their nontalents mar both productions. Both films would've benefitted from pros stepping in and handling the singing duties. Sometimes, you've just got to know your limitations and 'fess up to them.

I must admit that I like Natalie Portman. I've enjoyed her in other films (Garden State; V for Vendetta). The ballet flick is not my cup of tea, but I'm glad she won the Oscar for it. But she has made her share of flopolas. This latest one, Your Highness, is supposed to be a lead-bottomed stinker.