I'm Sick Of Giving Natalie Portman A Free Pass
Somewhere along the line before I started blogging I think there must have been some ultra secret meeting between all bloggers called the Portman Convention. At this convention it was decided that nothing bad would ever be written about Natalie Portman and that for all times she would be considered a saint or close to it by the powers that be. I don't know if it is because she is in the Star Wars films and so guys have some kind of weird sci-fi fantasy about her, or the fact that she seems somewhat pure so they consider her good marriage material and thus not subject to schoolboy taunts, or what.
All I know is that you would be very hard pressed to ever find a bad word written about Natalie Portman in any blog, especially one written by a guy. I can't really determine the reason other than the secret blogger meeting. She has one good role to her name in Closer, for which she got nominated for an Academy Award. It was for best supporting actress and that one is a crap shoot anyway. She has also been nominated for two Razzies as well. The only reason she is famous is because of the Star Wars films. She rarely could get work before they came along.
The reason I am harping on her today is because I noticed that she hates doing press, acts as if she is the greatest thing ever bestowed on the world and doesn't seem to have much respect for her fans, but no one ever says anything negative about her ever. Well I am, because someone called me yesterday who had been counting down the days until they got a chance to meet Natalie. Yes, they love her from Star Wars. I mean this guy didn't even go to work because he couldn't concentrate knowing he was going to see her and meet her. Anyway, Natalie has a new line of shoes she is selling that are all vegan. I don't care, but I know it is important to lots of you. Now mind you, this is her line of shoes. This is the launch. This is where she needs to kiss ass so people will spread the word and go buy them.
So my friend had an invitation to the launch and first waited outside for about 45 minutes, and then inside the store waited for about an hour, although only 45 minutes of that wait was on Natalie. Natalie strolled in 45 minutes late. Didn't apologize for being late, and did not smile once for anyone. For the fifteen minutes she was there she stuck close to the sides of her people. After 15 minutes she ducked out even though she was supposed to stay for the entire party. These were her shoes she is trying to sell. Don't make the s**t if you are not going to sell them. Even the diva Mariah traveled across the country to sell her perfume. Mariah went everywhere, and as much as I dislike Mariah, she worked those malls across the country to sell that stuff.
Apparently with everyone quite pissed off, Natalie did make one quick appearance again at the end of the party for about 2 minutes to wave goodbye. Well when her shoe line dies an early death and her financial backers sue the hell out of her for not doing the promotional work that is probably in her contract we will see how diva she acts then.
Padme as a role sucked. Her best role by far wasn't in Closer, but as the sweet killer in The Professional. I was most impressed by her performance. That movie kicked ass IMO.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bitch!
ReplyDeleteWhat a bitch!
ReplyDeleteSay what you will about Natalie, I like her. She was absolutely right when she pointed out that there are very few "good" roles for women in film besides playing the victim or a wet blanket in a comedy.
ReplyDeleteI know a few people who studied with her at Harvard and they said she was precocious at times, but hardly a diva.
"The only reason she is famous is because of the Star Wars films."
ReplyDeleteOh please. That is not even true.
this is surprising- I guess it just speaks to Ent's point that you never hear anything bad about her?
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I still like her. She seems real, and I have to give a girl some credit for getting herself an Ivy League education. She seems to have alot going for her, and if she's a little aloof, I can't fault her. Which would I rather see, Natalie Portman not playing the game but being very real, or someone like Katherine Heigl who is more than happy to play the publicity game but who is also dripping with insincerity?
I still like her, she has class and brain. I like that she keeps herself to herself, reads the broadsheets and doesn't go to the 'in' clubs and restaurants where the paps hang out.
ReplyDeleteShe's the complete opposite to the Britney, Paris and Lohan types. We need young women in Hollywood like her as role models, so what if she gets a bit up herself, she'll find a balance as she gets older.
The funny thing about this post is that EL dissed Mariah when she was doing her perfume tour, saying she wouldn't even pose for fans - only some smart sleuth here (sorry, can't recall who) directed us to a page with plenty of pics of her posing with fans. Yet now EL is using Mariah as the barometer for good behavior when doing a product tour.
ReplyDeleteEL, Happy Valentine's Day, honey. You know I love your schizophrenic ass, but even this is too much.
To be honest I heard her name before but couldn't put a face too it, (I've never seen Star Wars nor do I want to) but I read on other blogs she is "not so nice", but that's about all I heard so far. These kids got great connects in Hellywood to get these big time movies and they suck. Hyaden, Her, Scarlett Jo looks so trashy and I never seen them in good movies (beside movies where it didn't matter who stared in them they would make money anyway)
ReplyDeleteEnt, didn't you take this story from Page Six, but you're saying that your "friend" was the one who called you up and told you about it?
ReplyDeleteI agree with catbird - her best role was in "The Professional". I foud her Star Wars role quite forgettable even though that might have been Hayden C. rubbing off on her. I am quite amazed that that guy still gets to work.
ReplyDeleteYou mean your "friend" who attended who really just read
ReplyDeletethe same article in Page Six that you did?
EL, I love you. You are always willing to be sacreligious. Natalie doesn't bother me as much as a lot of celebrities, but it always bugged me what a BFD she made out of getting that damn degree. She actually said the fact that she had that degree intimidated men. It's a Bachelor's in psychology for fuck's sake. The last I checked, that will get you a job in the real world doing...um, nothing. I have an MS in said field, and believe me, men are NOT running away in fear of my superior intellect.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am really breaking out the Hater-ade the past two days!
I think her best film was Beautiful Girls.
ReplyDeleteShe was way famous before Star Wars.
ReplyDeleteAnd she was amazing in V for Vendetta, one of the best movies of the last 5 years, in my opinion.
The Professional is amazing as well.
Hello? Garden State? Cold Mountain?
Ent, I'm going with the you read this on page six and are talking out of your ass majority on this one.
cuddles.
Lucky said:
ReplyDeleteYou mean your "friend" who attended who really just read
the same article in Page Six that you did?
Exactly.
One of the local radio jocks has an aunt that had a bit part in "Mr. Whozzit's Fantastic Emporium" or whatever it's called--they talked to her on air and she said "Natalie Portman is a beautiful and talented actress" but really meant that she was a consummate bitch who didn't give a shit about anyone but herself (they had to drag it out of her, she just kept repeated "NP is a beautiful and talented actress".
ReplyDeleteI'm a vegan--vegan shoes are important (do a search sometime, vegan shoes are fugly and expensive). But if you cannot be bothered to sell a product you 'designed', then I'll just keep wearin' my old leather shoes, thanks.
I have to echo all the people defending Natalie. In this day and age of hitting a gas station attendant while driving drunk and engaging in all sorts of shenanagains while wearing a pink wig, Natalie has kept it together.
ReplyDeleteIf she was late and emerged from a car with coke on her dress, this would be news.
I've always imagined that she'd be a very closed off, very aloof person to deal with. She doesn't come across as being very into "working the room" and while I think that's probably not the best way to market yourself, or your shoes, I don't think that it matters all that much because it's not as though she just started behaving that way. Besides, I thought that she was amazing in "The Professional" and in "V for Vendetta." Plus, she a vegan and I'm a vegan (like OMG) so I'm still on Team Natalie...
ReplyDeleteOh and twisted sister, you're right about that.
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone else here, Ent. She's a talented actress who hasn't gotten sucked into the fame game. She started out around the same age as LiLo, and had parents that supported her and protected her.
ReplyDeleteI always had the feeling that Natalie was an introvert, and sometimes it comes across as being bitchy, when it's just quiet.
Natalie Portman is from the same town as me--even went to the same public high school, but many years apart!. Everyone always says only NICE things about her--all honors & AP classes, clubs, volunteering, all while keeping her career going.
ReplyDeleteShe is a great role model for girls.
I keep hoping to see her when I go to Whole Foods--her parents still live here.
Natalie Portman is from the same town as me--even went to the same public high school, but many years apart!. Everyone always says only NICE things about her--all honors & AP classes, clubs, volunteering, all while keeping her career going.
ReplyDeleteShe is a great role model for girls.
I keep hoping to see her when I go to Whole Foods--her parents still live here.
I'm actually with Ent on this one. I won't deny that she's smart, cute, and scandal free. But I don't understand why people (especially men who lust after her 12 year old boy body) idolize her. I think her talent is pretty limited (Star Wars, Mr. Magisterium, Closer, and many many more etc). And as a person, doesn't seem to have any intresting personality or that kinda uniqueness. I much prefer Christina Ricci, Zooey Deschanel, Ellen Page, Alison Lohman, even ScarJo.
ReplyDeleteI also was impressed with her character in The Professional. Um, has anyone looked at the prices of her shoes? Hella expensivo man!
ReplyDeleteRia, thanks for the "Amen"!
ReplyDeleteone bad day doesn't = bitch to me. maybe she didn't feel well. i give her another chance or two. it's one story for god's sake!
ReplyDeleteYES!!
ReplyDeleteThank god somebody with sense.
I don't get why people like her so much.
She's so WET.
I watched her in Garden State and after 10 minutes i wanted to smash the screen.
One good movie role doesn't make you a good actress.
one good movie?
ReplyDeleteshe's been in...
heat
everyone says i love you (woody allen)
beautiful girls
the professional
Anywhere but here (Golden Globe Nomination for her)
Where the heart is (3 assorted lesser award nods, 1 win)
Cold Mountain (Oscar Film)
Garden State
Closer ((Supporting Actress Oscar nod, BAFTA nod, Critics choice nod for her as well as the ensemble, Golden Globe WIN, etc)
V for Vendetta
assorted indies and 6 other works in progress.
With all the child stars that OD on Heroin like Renfro (RIP) or get arrested- finally there's one like Natalie Portman with a respectable resume (Who wouldn't do Star Wars for the $$, even if you had to act against that vapid Hayden Christensen) and you guys talk just as much shit as if she was showing her panties getting out of the limo.
Here's a thought... wouldn't it freak you out if you were in a room full of strangers who had been anticipating looking/staring at you for days and then obsessing over the count on the minutes you spent at an event... Taking it personal that you didn't validate their individual expectations like it was your job? Instead of... oh... making an appearance at your shoe launch- which was your real job?
My future sister-in-law who is from Long Island went to a tennis camp one summer with Natalie Portman when they were junior high age. She said Natalie was a complete stuck-up, pretentious c*nt, yes, she used the c-word! Nat was in a couple of commercials at that time and was bragging about it to everyone and acting like everyone should worship her. I see the bitch hasn't changed much!!
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more ENT. Natalie HERSCHLAG (her real name) has been a conundrum to me for ages. How does she get a free pass? She's one of the plainest actresses I've ever seen. By that I mean, she's pretty, but in a very normal, average way. She looks like any girl you'd see on a college campus. She comes across in interviews as arrogant and full of herself. AND, she's a terrible actress with zero charisma. She literally ruined the Star Wars prequels for me. I would have much preferred Keira Knightly or Rose Byrne, who actually have enough charisma to pull off a role like Amidala. So why does she get this free pass? I have tried figuring it out.
ReplyDeleteFIRST, geeks and pervs have always loved her for her sexy child role in the Professional, which from what I hear was probably her best performance. Because she made such a good first impression, she continues to get a free pass from some as being a good actress.
SECOND, because she was in Star Wars and is cute, guys like her. They love that girl next door, pretty/plain thing, because she seems attainable to them. I realized this from asking some of my now hubby's guy friends. More than one actually said "She looks like a girl that I dated once" etc. etc.
She is attractive to men in a different way than say, women like Halle Berry, Jennifer Connelly, Charlize Theron (how many women do you see walking around college campuses that look like them?) These women are beautiful in a less attainable way, because they are super gorgeous. Portman is everyday pretty, and guys can see her actually dating them.
As for her acting, she seems to do better as an actress if she has a good director. If she doesn't, she sucks, is stiff as a board and wooden. Which means that she is not a very good actress as far as natural ability.
Plus she is arrogant and full of herself. Just watch interviews with her. She hides it well but it slips out. She even recently said that when she was a child actor, the kids in school hated her because she was bragging all the time about how amazing she was. She's also made a few snotty comments she's caught flack for with the press "I know how a black person feels"
Unfortunately for her, people have started to begin realizing that she actually isn't a very good actress. I can't wait. I actually think her acting in the Star Wars movies is the worst acting I've seen ever in my life. Truly. She is incredibly awful in them. Much worse than Hayden, for me. Ok, stepping off my soapbox.
Natalie Portman is to good press what Kiki Dunst is to bad press. I think there is a secret association of bloggers that decides these things.
ReplyDeleteI loved her in "The Professional," then started to wonder if she was actually kind of a bitch, then this made me love her again.
Leon was a damn fine film
ReplyDeleteI rest my case