We continue our latest series of examining some of the works outside the saga of some of our most beloved actors in a galaxy far, far away.
Today we continue with the leading lady of the prequel trilogy – Natalie Portman.
Natalie Hershlag, known of course as Natalie Portman, was born on June 9th 1981 in Jerusalem, Israel. When Portman first moved to the United States she resided in Washington D.C, then Connecticut and finally Long Island. She was discovered at a young age in the performing arts industry and worked extensively as a child actor on Broadway. Portman is notoriously private and has two children with her ex-husband whom she only recently divorced in 2024. Portman, among her many talents, can speak Hebrew, Japanese, French, German and Arabic. For a period, she was the face of Dior.
Jackie (2016)
This historical picture is based on the life of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy and it follows her time in the White House and the days immediately following the aftermath of the assassination of her husband John F. Kennedy. The film was originally set to be a HBO mini-series with Steven Spielberg producing but it was later developed into a film – this time with Spielberg attached as director. After he left the project and Portman was attached, she was instrumental in the involvement of the writer/director of the film being hired – Noah Openhiem. The film was released on December 2nd to herculean-level acclaim and was nominated for countless awards, including a Best Actress Nomination for Portman herself.
Cold Mountain (2003)
Portman played a supporting role in this film but was surrounded by an incredible cast for the time including Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Donald Sutherland, Cillian Murphy, Kathy Baker and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. The film is a romantic period drama set in the closing days of the American Civil War. I must confess that this is a favourite of my Mum’s, and she reminded me recently that ‘the girl from Star Wars is in it. The Queen. Not Leia. The other one with young Darth Vader.’ Classic wording there from her – ha! The film was nominated, and won, countless awards the following year and grossed an impressive $173 million dollars at the box office against a $72 million budget.
V for Vendetta (2005)
Coming off the back of the prequels the previous year, Portman was at the height of her fame in Hollywood. An impressive cast lead the ensemble here with Stephen Fry, John Hurt and Hugo Weaving all taking centre stage. The film is set in a dystopian and dark future where total subjugation has taken over in the United Kingdom. A fascist party, known as Norsefire, rule with fear and execute anyone whom they deem to be undesirable. The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name and has since gained controversial status. It was, however, a box office hit and opened to positive revies upon its release. Portman plays a role unlike any other in her career here and shares the leading role well opposite Hugo Weaving. Portman also won the Saturn Award for Best Actress that year.
Garden State (2004)
This indie comedy was written and directed by Scrubs alum Zach Braff and is loosely based on true events as an aspiring actor-come-waiter (Braff) returns to his hometown after the death of his mother. The film was screened at the Sundance Film Festival and it was later purchased by Mirimax and Searchlight Pictures for $5 million dollars – double the film’s budget. The film is both quirky and heartfelt, a rare feat these days, and won rave reviews from critics and audiences as well as being a box office smash. It you’re looking for a palate cleanser from blockbuster after blockbuster, then this is the film you’re looking for.
Jane Got a Gun (2015)
Whilst this film was never going to change anyone’s life or go down in the history books as one of the finest films ever made, I’m including it here for the casting reasons. It’s a prequel trilogy reunion party to remember as Padmé Amidala, Uncle Owen and Obi-Wan Kenobi all saddle up for this modern western. Now, for cinephiles, the last masterpiece of the western genre was from Clint Eastwood with his multiple Oscar winning film Unforgiven. Portman holds the film together and Joel Edgerton is on fine form as always but its Ewan McGregor who steals the show (as he always tends to do) as the dastardly John Bishop. Fun and pulpy stuff for a long winter’s night ahead.
Black Swan (2010)
Outside of a galaxy far, far away Black Swan will forever remain Portman’s finest hour on the silver screen. It did, after all, deservedly win her the Academy Award for Best Actress. The story is set in the infamous cut-throat world of ballet theatre as a production company prepare to launch a show of Swan Lake. The film’s genre is certainly a psychological horror as Portman plays the lead character who succumbs to enormous pressure in a performance art that will only accept perfection. As her character feels the pressure, she eventually descends into madness. The film was a colossal box office hit grossing over $300 million dollars against a $13 million dollar budget and recently The New Yorker cited Portman’s performance in Black Swan as one of the finest of the 21st century so far.
Portman has turned her hand to producing many films in recent years and has written and directed too. She will next be seen lending her voice to a new version of The Twits and she will star in Fountain of Youth releasing sometime in 2025. As ever, her role of Jane Foster in the MCU remains an open door.
