Closer (2004)
Closer, Natalie Portman’s invariable opus at the time of its release, was the also actress’ most daring performance. An almost complete inversion of her light-hearted openness in Garden State, Portman made a colossal impression playing an enigma whose emotional striptease was as lucid and seductive as the actress’ actual one. The performance came at a time when Portman was only getting by on the good word of big name directors like Closer’s director Mike Nichols and Anthony Minghella, who directed Cold Mountain (2003) where she made a brief but memorable appearance. Closer was her star-making turn, boasting an artistically lucrative script (based off the stage play) strengthened by the actress’ eloquent wordplay. Her character’s bohemian allure may be the result of Portman’s natural beauty, but her magnetism is wrought with personal deficiencies and limitations making her performance a painstakingly human one.
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