Natalie Portman is the talk of the town. With her daring, dazzling performance in Black Swan, she will win, in this reviewer's mind, the prestigious Best Actress Oscar.
She was already a great actress way back when. She had her big debut with Jean Reno in The Professional. In that work, she played a kid of around eleven or twelve who lives in the same building as a strange Frenchman (Reno). She has seen the weird loner come and go, as she has viewed the street life flow by.
One day, her parents, drug dealers and down-and-outers, meet a sad fate at the hands of a crooked, violent cop, played creepily by Gary Oldman. The little waif witnesses the slaughter of her family yet manages to escape by seeking asylum in the Frenchman's flat.
Little Natalie is perfect as the desperate orphan who finds protection with the Frenchman, who just happens to make his living by being an expert, detached, low intelligence hit man. Ms Portman is cute, charming, cuddly and clever, as the pre-teen with a big heart and lots of sadness in her eyes. The actress who would so brilliantly later embrace Nina's darkness in Black Swan exhibits a range of emotions that astound the viewer. She brings joy to the heartless Reno, creating one of the most endearing friendships on the big screen.
It's astonishing how convincing the young Natalie is in this role that requires subtlety, depth, and sophistication. So, if you want to see a great action film and find out why Ms Portman is truly Oscar-worthy, go back in time to this masterpiece.
Are stars made or born? You'll have your answer after watching The Professional.
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