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Top 10 Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman has had one hell of a career, but 2011 looks set to be her most defining year yet, professionally and personally. With a mesmerising performance in Black Swan, she has three other films set for release, plus she’s expecting her first child with fiancé Benjamin Millepied, and she’ll turn the big 3-0. For now, here are her top 10.

Her Top 10 Films

Leon (1994)

As debuts go, Luc Besson’s French thriller was an impressive way to enter the world of acting. At 11-years-old, Portman was initially turned down by the casting director for being too young, but when she returned to the auditions Besson was so impressed he gave her the role. However, because of her age and the nature of her character Mathilda, Portman's parents worked out a strict contract with Besson.

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Heat (1995)

Portman starred alongside two film legends – Al Pacino and Robert De Niro – as the former’s step-daughter in this crime thriller written and directed by Michael Mann. Set in L.A., the story focuses on the lives of two men on opposite sides of the law – professional thief Neil McCauley (De Niro) and LAPD homicide detective Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino). This was the first time the heavyweight stars actually acted together – they never share the screen in The Godfather: Part II (1974) – and the film was promoted as a De Niro/Pacino “showdown.”

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Beautiful Girls (1996)

Sharing the screen with Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Uma Thurman and Mira Sorvino, a 14-year old Portman held her own in this grown-up romantic drama. Portman plays Marty, an ‘old soul’ who befriends 30-something Willie Conway (Hutton). Whilst the film is set around Willie and his group of friends’ problems with life and love, you’re never sure if his friendship with Marty will take an inappropriate turn.

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Anywhere but Here (1999)

Portman originally turned down this film as her character had a sex scene. Susan Sarandon told producers that she wouldn’t do the project unless Portman was cast as her daughter, so the script was rewritten and Portman signed on. The film follows Adele August (Sarandon), an eccentric woman who ups and leaves her small hometown for the unattainable glamour of Beverly Hills, dragging her reluctant daughter Ann (Portman) with her. Portman received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

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Star Wars: Episodes I, II and III (1999-2005)

The role of Queen Amidala/Padmé in George Lucas’ rebooted franchise brought Portman to leading lady status, in turn making her a household name. With the exception of the Star Wars prequels, Portman made the decision to take time out from acting so she could study at Harvard University, saying that she’d “rather be smart than a movie star.” In 2004 she graduated with a degree in psychology.

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Garden State (2004)

This quirky indie movie marked Zach Braff's directorial debut, and Portman was his first choice to play lead female Sam, although he never expected her to sign on. Braff plays actor/waiter Andrew Largeman who returns to his hometown after his mother dies. Braff, who wrote the screenplay, based it on his own childhood and his days as a struggling actor. The film was shot in just 25 days.

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Closer (2004)

Portman bagged herself Oscar and BAFTA nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Alice, Jude Law’s love interest, in this complicated romantic drama co-starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. To honour their sweary characters, when filming began Portman gave Roberts a necklace engraved with the word ‘c**t’. At the end of filming, Roberts gave Portman her own necklace with ‘lil' c**t’ engraved.

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V for Vendetta (2006)

Written by The Wachowski Brothers, V for Vendetta is set in a near-future dystopian society, based on the graphic-novel series published in the late 1980s. V, a masked and charismatic freedom fighter, is played by Hugo Weaving – aka Agent Smith from The Matrix Trilogy. Originally James Purefoy was cast as the leading man, but he left a few weeks into filming because of difficulties breathing under the mask. Portman rocks the shaved head look – and a British accent – as Evey, who V rescues and takes under his wing.

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Brothers (2010)

Based on the Danish film of the same name, Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father) directs this American remake. Portman plays Grace, mother of two young girls and wife to Marine Capt. Sam Cahill (Toby Maguire). When Sam leaves for Afghanistan, his wayward brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) – who’s just been released from prison for armed robbery – moves into their family home. When news comes that Sam has died in a helicopter crash, the family struggles with their shifting relationships.

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Black Swan (2011)

Will this be Portman’s Oscar-winning role? There’s not long to find out, but in the mean time her performance as troubled ballerina Nina has the whole film industry buzzing. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler), this psychological thriller is set around a production of Swan Lake at a New York City ballet company, focusing on the fierce rivalry between Nina and fellow dancer Lilly (Mila Kunis).

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Tegan Kniveton