Natalie Portman is right – ‘method acting’ has always been different for women

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Although Portman’s performance as Jackie Kennedy in Pablo Larraín’s 2016 film Jackie was intense, weird and mildly distressing, her preparation didn’t go to quite this extreme. “I’ve gotten very into roles, but I think it’s honestly a luxury that women can’t afford,” Portman told The Wall Street Journal in a recent interview. “I don’t think that children or partners would be very understanding of, you know, me making everyone call me ‘Jackie Kennedy’ all the time.” She’s right – it’s just not possible to check out of reality when you have dependents. And Natalie Portman, notably, existed on a diet of just almonds and carrots for Black Swan, a role that got her an Academy Award in 2010. open image in gallery Method in the madness: Natalie Portman in ‘Black Swan’ But what’s also frustrating about the blokey, bolshy world of “going method” is the way that it seems to ignore the intensive, immersive research and preparation that female stars also do.