Natalie Portman candidly addresses the evolution of a film that played a pivotal role in her early career, acknowledging that despite its initial acclaim, the movie may not have withstood the test of time in a positive light.
Renowned for her contributions to Hollywood, the Israeli actress gained prominence from an early age. However, her catapult to fame as a child actor in the film "Léon: The Professional" has recently faced scrutiny for potential inappropriate s----lization.
In a recent interview, Portman openly discussed the movie that remains a fan favorite but has also become a source of discomfort for the actress. Despite acknowledging its role in shaping her career, she expressed reservations about certain aspects of the film that have become cringe-worthy upon reflection. "It's a film that I still appreciate, and it's the one people talk to me about the most.
'It gave me my career,' she said. However, she admitted, "When you watch it now, there are undoubtedly some aspects that are embarrassing, to say the least. So yes, it's complicated for me."
"Léon: The Professional" marked Portman's debut in the acting world, securing the role when she was just 11 years old. Recent criticisms of the film focus on the perception of a potentially inappropriate relationship between the characters Mathilda (Portman) and Léon (Jean Reno).
The movie's director, Luc Besson, faced serious allegations of s---al misconduct in 2018, with accusations of rape by Belgian-Dutch actress Sand Van Roy spanning two years. Although other women reported "inappropriate s---al behavior," no charges were filed, and the case was dismissed in 2021 after an investigation.
When questioned about Besson's allegations, Portman described them as "devastating" and shared her perspective on working with him: "I didn't really know. She was a working girl. She was a girl. But I don't want to say anything that invalidates anyone's experience," she told The Hollywood Reporter.
