Black Swan‘s critical and commercial success was largely due to Natalie Portman’s mesmerizing performance in the film. Portman’s character in the psychological thriller was a dancer who, under the weight of expectations, pushed herself to the brink of exhaustion, both physically and emotionally.
The actress trained through excruciating agony and made many sacrifices because she was committed to the job. But Portman’s depiction of the tortured ballerina had an unintended impact on her fellow actor, Emily Blunt, who suffered a full-blown anxiety attack after seeing the film.
Blunt, who also appeared in a film about a dancer, describes her terrifying experience and how Portman’s performance affected her deeply.
Natalie Portman’s Journey in Black Swan
Black Swan had an outstanding performance by Natalie Portman. Portman had to put herself through rigorous physical and emotional preparation to portray a dancer on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
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When asked how she mentally prepared for the character’s emotional aspect, Portman said that the physical discipline of ballet helped. She compared the life of a ballet dancer to that of a monk, describing how they fast twice a week and seldom eat out.
Portman emphasized the intense physical agony endured by ballet dancers regularly, saying that this gave her a unique insight into the self-flagellation inherent to the field.
Emily Blunt On Dancing in The Adjustment Bureau
Emily Blunt, recognized for her adaptability as an actor, played a dancer with Matt Damon in the film The Adjustment Bureau. Blunt assured director George Nolfi that she would put forth her best effort to dance for the part, despite her lack of expertise in the genre.
She put forth incredible effort throughout training since she was so dedicated. Blunt said the exercise was really painful and difficult. But she felt revitalized and said it was one of the most eye-opening events of her life.
“The training was unreal. I hurt every day. It’s one thing to say, ‘I’ll do it for you,’ but it’s another thing to actually do it. It was hell to learn at first, and then it became invigorating, and one of the biggest, life-expanding experiences I’ve ever had.”
Natalie Portman’s performance inspired Blunt in Black Swan after undergoing rigorous preparation for her own part in The Adjustment Bureau. The performance of Portman as the tortured dancer, though, had a profound effect on Blunt.
After watching Portman in the role, she told MTV News she suffered a “full anxiety attack” but still enjoyed the film. After seeing Portman’s change, Blunt said her back resembled a “barrel of snakes.” Blunt was also momentarily concerned about how well she would do in The Adjustment Bureau.
“I had a full anxiety attack after it but still loved the movie. That girl has some serious guns. I was like, ‘Wow, her back looks like a barrel of snakes.’ She truly worked out and she looks incredible in the movie.”
Portman playing such a complicated character in Black Swan may have caused her to fall emotionally weak, but she found solace in taking on lighter projects such as Thor and No Strings Attached.
Source: MTN News
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