Black Swan (2010)

Barbara Hershey: Erica Sayers, The Queen

Photos 

Quotes 

• Erica : What happened to my sweet girl?

  Nina : She's gone!

• 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.

• 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!

• 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!

• Erica : It's the role, isn't it? It's all this pressure? I knew it would be too much. I knew it!

• 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 : 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 : 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.

• Erica : You're not my Nina right now!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Erica : My daughter the swan queen. It's our favorite vanilla with strawberry filling

  Nina : Oh mom not too big, oh that's way way too much

  Erica : Oh it's our celebration, it's just this once

  Nina : Mom, my stomach is still in knots

  Erica : Fine, fine. Then it's garbage

  Nina : No mom, don't I'm sorry

  Erica : I'm just, I'm just so proud of you

  Nina : That looks soo yummy

• 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.