Ezra Klein: Things That Should Be True, But Aren't

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February 14, 2006

Things That Should Be True, But Aren't

Responding to Natalie Portman's observation that a shaved head on a twenty-something female elicits looks, Defamer writes:

If we were one of the world's most exquisitely-featured and instantly recognizable actresses (sadly, we aren't) we would imagine being "looked at" would be a common occupational hazard, regardless of hair length.

Apparently not, actually. I know a fair number of folks who went to school with her (like a good 45 percent of DC, Portman went to Harvard) and there's near unanimity that she doesn't stand out in a crowd. I know a number of guys who began hitting on "this girl" at a party, thought it going quite well, and then fell apart when names were exchanged and they realized they were about to ask Princess Padme on a date.

February 14, 2006 | Permalink

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Comments

Re: Natalie Portman's anonymity in public-- I remember walking through Harvard yard one day in Spring '01 and passing by a couple of people. After they'd passed, I thought to myself-- "Where do I know that girl from? I just can't place her." Then I realized, "Oh, wait, I don't know her. She looks familiar because she sort of reminds me of Natalie Portman."

Then the lightbulb went off.

Posted by: Constantine | Feb 14, 2006 10:22:48 AM

I'm sorry, but I'm having a slashdot troll moment.

HOT GRITS!

Posted by: Tom in AZ | Feb 14, 2006 10:47:38 AM

Actresses are actresses first; personalities second; and faces and bodies third. Similarly, some women are most beautiful when completely still, sone when animated or expressive; and some are always beautiful.

Rachael Leigh Cook looks like a nice person, but becomes
(all IMO of course) less attractive when trying to act. J Love Hewitt is always beautiful, but rarely impressive.

I am not that impressed by Portman, but somewhat impressed, using what I have seen in "Closer" and "Garden State". She can "project" When the script calls for attractiveness, she is attractive. When it calls for ugliness(as in the last dialogue with Jude Law), she is less attractive. When it calls for mixed signals, as in the lap dance, she is mysterious.

Many of the best actresses, and most beautiful women, by my tastes, are fairly ordinary until they have reason not to be. Then they are amazing.

Posted by: bob mcmanus | Feb 14, 2006 11:26:07 AM

First, I heart M's Portman with hair of any length. Charm is rare in this world and to have talent on top of that is impressive.I've seen the trailer for V, hope the film lives up to the hype.

Costantine reminded me of the time I was in a shop in Va. Beach buying a keyring and I looked across the counter and found myself staring at this guy on the other side. He looks familiar I thought. The shop is kinda unique in that the owner is a big baseball fan and had a small museum of collectables off to the side. I get to my car, and damn I realize it was Hank Aaron. I felt too stupid to go back in for an autograph.

Posted by: Dave M | Feb 14, 2006 11:36:05 AM

I've never thought she was that hot. Now Keira Knightly I would not fail to miss.

Posted by: Steve | Feb 14, 2006 11:52:33 AM

Is it me, or should the word of the day be "insular"?

It's cute in a chatty, gossipy sense, but really, why do Harvard grads need to remind others, relentlessly, of that fact?

Posted by: weboy | Feb 14, 2006 12:45:57 PM

Someone in the film industry once told me that he was amazed to realize that famous actresses know for their beauty were often not the "pretty sister" within their own families.

Posted by: NotThatMo | Feb 14, 2006 12:59:24 PM

Thank you weboy, I thought the same thing!

Posted by: Adrock | Feb 14, 2006 1:07:16 PM

for the record, weboy, I did not go to Harvard. I do, however, live in Cambridge.

And any opportunity to talk about Natalie Portman is time well-spent, I think. :)

Posted by: Constantine | Feb 14, 2006 1:22:43 PM

Ugh Ezra.
Padme was the handmaiden cover for QUEEN Amidala (later Senator).
I expect an update correcting this glaring error no later 8:00pm EST or your Geek credentials will be revoked.

Posted by: Nied | Feb 14, 2006 2:00:08 PM

Ezra is right. Nied is pwned:

Born Padmé Naberrie, Queen Amidala was the formal name of the royal leader of Naboo. As a child, Amidala was prodigiously talented and extremely well educated. She had long been interested in public service, volunteering in the Refugee Relief Movement as a youth. Her efforts helped in the Shadda-Bi-Boran exodus. At the age of eight, she joined the Apprentice Legislature and became an Apprentice Legislator at age 11. By 14, she was elected Queen of Naboo.

Posted by: Neil the Ethical Werewolf | Feb 14, 2006 3:18:28 PM

Though I don't know if "Princess Padme" was ever a correct name for her, seeing as she doesn't seem to have gone through the child-of-royalty stage before being elected queen.

Posted by: Neil the Ethical Werewolf | Feb 14, 2006 3:21:04 PM

Steve: I spent two days on a shoot with Keira Knightly. She's kind of wan and bony-looking in person. A dream to work with--that is to say, she approaches acting as a job with a lot of downtime spent in the company of coworkers (most of whom are not actors). A real sport, and an actor who becomes luminous when she's thesping.

Most beautiful actress I've ever seen in repose? Isabella Rosellini, hands down. Not exactly protean in the thesping dept, though.

Posted by: Jimmm | Feb 14, 2006 4:26:50 PM

Ah but while her original name was Padme (and she is refered to as such by those close to her in the later prequels), her royal title is Queen Amidala. No princess, that's her daughter. Thus I remain ever 133+ and prove Ezra teh n00b.

Posted by: Nied | Feb 14, 2006 4:32:39 PM

Ehh...I'd ask Ms. Hershlag out, fame or no fame. What's the worst she could do--turn me down? If she says no, it's not like I'm seeing her any less. And if she says yes, then I'm seeing her more.

Posted by: Rafe | Feb 14, 2006 5:25:41 PM

Harvard? Don't rich people go to Harvard? Don't rich people get a lot of cosmetic surgery? I think I see a reason why she may not stand out in a crowd. People are having plastic surgery to look like her. Indeed, I wouldn't be surprised if she's had surgery in order to look like herself.

Posted by: Ronald Brak | Feb 14, 2006 8:16:35 PM

Yeah, knowing a lot of Harvard kids, I don't think excess plastic surgery lies among their faults.

Posted by: Ezra | Feb 14, 2006 11:18:49 PM

At Tufts, a place not knowing for beauty, when Jessica Biel was around, you knew, and everybody around you knew. She stands out more than Portman...she just can't act and she was not considered a very appealing person.

Posted by: JoelW | Feb 15, 2006 12:00:41 AM

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