Editing Natalie Portman (section)

===1999–2006: ''Star Wars'', education, and transition to mature roles===
[[File:Star Wars and the Power of Costume July 2018 01 (Queen Amidala's throne room gown from Episode I).jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=Portman's costume|Portman's costume from ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' (1999) on display at the [[Detroit Institute of Arts]]]]

Portman began filming the part of [[Padmé Amidala]] in the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy]] in 1997, which marked her first big-budget production. The first film of the series, ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' was released in 1999, when she was in her senior year of high school.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=130}} Portman was unfamiliar with the franchise when she was cast, and watched the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original ''Star Wars'' trilogy]] before filming began.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/portman/profile.html |title = Natalie Portman Profile |publisher = CNN |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160409161918/http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/portman/profile.html |archive-date = April 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> She worked closely with the director [[George Lucas]] on her character's accent and mannerisms, and watched the films of [[Lauren Bacall]], [[Audrey Hepburn]], and [[Katharine Hepburn]] to draw inspiration from their voice and stature.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9905/18/natalie.portman/ |title = Natalie Portman: 'Star Wars' queen |first = Andy |last = Culpepper |date = May 18, 1999 |publisher = CNN |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190124163334/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9905/18/natalie.portman/ |archive-date = January 24, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Filming in arduous locations in Algeria proved challenging for Portman.<ref name="sundaytimes02">{{cite news |last=Goodwin|first=Christopher|title=America's Sweetheart |work=[[Sunday Times Magazine]] |date=April 28, 2002 }}</ref><ref name="rollingstone"/> She did not attend the film's premiere so she could study for her high school finals.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |publisher = BBC |title = Natalie Portman interview |first=Stella | last=Papamichael |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/12/03/natalie_portman_garden_state_interview.shtml |access-date = May 1, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050828173525/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/12/03/natalie_portman_garden_state_interview.shtml |archive-date = August 28, 2005}}</ref> The critical response to the film was mixed, but with earnings of $924&nbsp;million worldwide it was the [[List of highest-grossing films|second highest-grossing film]] of all time to that point, and it established Portman as a global star.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/|title=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)|date=May 19, 1999 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515010020/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guardian18">{{cite news |last = Mumford |first = Gwilym |title = Natalie Portman: 'It's dangerous when you can't separate the emotion from the business' |url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/13/natalie-portman-dangerous-separate-emotion-business |work = The Guardian |date = September 13, 2018 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190727081454/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/13/natalie-portman-dangerous-separate-emotion-business |archive-date = July 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Portman graduated from [[Syosset High School]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/natalie-portman-interview |title = Interview With Natalie Portman |work = [[Marie Claire]] |access-date = September 8, 2010 |first=Gaby | last=Wood |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101026043350/http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/celebrities/natalie-portman-interview |archive-date = October 26, 2010 |date = December 2, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/07/20/school-of-stars-judd-apatow-elaine-chao-michael-isikoff-w-va/ |title = School of Stars: Judd Apatow, Elaine Chao, Michael Isikoff, W.Va. First Lady? |work = [[Politics Daily]] |access-date = September 8, 2010 |first=Jill | last=Lawrence |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100724012635/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/07/20/school-of-stars-judd-apatow-elaine-chao-michael-isikoff-w-va/ |archive-date = July 24, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.antonnews.com/syossetjerichotribune/1999/07/02/news/ |title = Challenges of the Coming Century |work = [[Syosset Jericho Tribune]] |access-date =November 10, 2021 |first=Brad | last=Barth |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020515013948/http://www.antonnews.com/syossetjerichotribune/1999/07/02/news/ |archive-date = May 15, 2002}}</ref> Her high school paper, "A Simple Method to Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar", co-authored with scientists Ian Hurley and Jonathan Woodward, was entered in the [[Intel Science Talent Search]].<ref>{{Cite journal|first1=Ian|last1= Hurley |last2 = Hershlag |first2 = Natalie|first3=Jonathan |last3=Woodward |title = A Simple Method To Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar |journal = Journal of Chemical Education |volume = 75 |issue = 10 |page = 1270 |bibcode = 1998JChEd..75.1270H |year = 1998 |doi = 10.1021/ed075p1270 }}</ref> Following production on ''The Phantom Menace'', Portman initially turned down a lead role in the coming-of-age film ''[[Anywhere but Here (film)|Anywhere but Here]]'' (1999) after learning it would involve a sex scene, but the director [[Wayne Wang]] and actress [[Susan Sarandon]] (who played Portman's mother in the film) demanded a rewrite of the script. She was shown a new draft, and decided to accept the part.<ref name="actors" /><ref>{{cite magazine |title = Anywhere but Here |url = https://ew.com/article/1999/11/16/anywhere-here-2/ |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |date = November 16, 1999 |access-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170622184431/http://ew.com/article/1999/11/16/anywhere-here-2/ |archive-date = June 22, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mary Elizabeth Williams]] of ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' called Portman's performance "astonishing" and added that "unlike any number of actresses her age, she's neither too maudlin nor too plucky".<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.salon.com/1999/11/12/anywhere/ |title = Anywhere But Here |work = Salon |first=Mary Elizabeth | last=Williams |date = November 12, 1999 |access-date = December 23, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223160527/http://www.salon.com/1999/11/12/anywhere/ |archive-date = December 23, 2015}}</ref> She received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress]] nomination for it.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/613254.stm |title = Golden Globe winners |date = January 24, 2000 |publisher = BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110813031252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/613254.stm |archive-date = August 13, 2011}}</ref>

Portman's sole screen appearance in 2000 was in ''[[Where the Heart Is (2000 film)|Where the Heart Is]]'', a romantic drama filmed in Texas, in which she played a pregnant teenager.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=132}} After finishing work on the film, she began attending [[Harvard University]] to pursue her bachelor's degree in psychology, and significantly reduced her acting roles over the next few years.<ref name="actors" /> She studied advanced [[Hebrew literature]] and [[neuroscience|neurobiology]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/05/28/natalie-portmans-harvard-speech-reminds-us-how-we-all-can-feel-we-arent-smart-enough/|title=At Harvard, Natalie Portman acknowledges what many of us feel: Impostor syndrome|date=May 28, 2015|last=Izadi|first=Elahe|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 19, 2021|archive-date=March 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322153729/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/05/28/natalie-portmans-harvard-speech-reminds-us-how-we-all-can-feel-we-arent-smart-enough/|url-status=live}}</ref> and she served as [[Alan Dershowitz]]'s research assistant.<ref name="vf06">{{cite news |url = https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2006/4/what-natalie-knows |title = What Natalie Knows |last = Peretz |first = Evgenia |date = April 2006 |work = [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-date = August 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804085014/https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2006/4/what-natalie-knows |url-status = live }}{{Subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/3/1/harvard-natalie-portman-dershowitz/|title= Professors Reflect on Natalie Portman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062857/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/3/1/harvard-natalie-portman-dershowitz/ |archive-date=August 11, 2011|work=The Harvard Crimson|date=March 1, 2011|access-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> In the summer of 2001, she returned to Broadway (at the [[Delacorte Theater]]) to perform [[Anton Chekhov|Chekhov]]'s drama ''[[The Seagull]]'', which was directed by [[Mike Nichols]] and co-starred [[Meryl Streep]] and [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]].<ref>{{cite news |title = The Seagull Opens Its Wings in Central Park Aug. 12 |first = Kenneth |last = Jones |work = Playbill |url = http://www.playbill.com/article/the-seagull-opens-its-wings-in-central-park-aug-12-com-98105 |date = August 12, 2001 |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808184625/http://www.playbill.com/article/the-seagull-opens-its-wings-in-central-park-aug-12-com-98105 |url-status = live }}</ref> Linda Winer of ''[[Newsday]]'' wrote that the "major surprises come from Portman, whose Nina transforms with astonishing lyricism from the girl with ambition to Chekhov's most difficult symbol of destruction".<ref>{{cite news |title = Top-Flight Cast Makes 'The Seagull' Soar |first = Linda |last = Winer |work = Los Angeles Times |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-13-ca-33601-story.html |date = August 13, 2001 |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-date = August 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190808184623/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-13-ca-33601-story.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Also in 2001, Portman was among several celebrities who made cameo appearances in the comedy ''[[Zoolander]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/celebrity-cameos-zoolander|title=18 Celebrity Cameos in Zoolander You Probably Forgot About|last=Garcia|first=Patricia|date=January 15, 2016|work=Vogue|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425184429/https://www.vogue.com/article/celebrity-cameos-zoolander|archive-date=April 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year she reprised her role of Amidala in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'', which she had filmed in Sydney and London during her summer break of 2000.{{sfn|Dickerson|2002|p=167–171}} She was excited by the opportunity to play a confident young woman who did not depend on the male lead.<ref>{{cite web |title = Natalie Portman talks to Newsround |publisher = CNN |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1970000/newsid_1977700/1977797.stm |date = May 9, 2002 |access-date = August 9, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160910004858/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1970000/newsid_1977700/1977797.stm |archive-date = September 10, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked about balancing her career and education, she said, "I don't care if [college] ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Patterson |first1=John |title=Model of integrity |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/dec/04/patterson.culture |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 4, 2004 |quote="I'm going to college. I don't care if it ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star." |access-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429034028/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/dec/04/patterson.culture |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Brown, R. (August 4, 2004). "Size of the Moon". ''Time Out, London'', 51(78).</ref> In 2002, she contributed to a study on memory called "[[Frontal lobe]] activation during [[object permanence]]: data from near-infrared spectroscopy".<ref name="neuroimage">{{cite journal |last1 = Baird |first1 = Abigail A. |last2 = Kagan |first2 = Jerome |last3 = Gaudette |first3 = Thomas |last4 = Walz |first4 = Kathryn A. |last5 = Hershlag |first5 = Natalie |last6 = Boas |first6 = David A. |title = Frontal lobe activation during object permanence: data from near-infrared spectroscopy |doi = 10.1006/nimg.2002.1170 |journal = [[NeuroImage (journal)|NeuroImage]] |volume = 16 |issue = 4 |pages = 1120–26 |date = August 2002 |pmid = 12202098 |s2cid = 15630444 |url = http://rabi.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/DOT/PDF/Baird_NeuroImage_16_1120_2002.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527162756/http://rabi.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/DOT/PDF/Baird_NeuroImage_16_1120_2002.pdf |archive-date = May 27, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Quiz: match the celebrities to their degrees |last=Lock |first=Helen |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 28, 2016 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/jul/28/quiz-match-the-celebrities-to-their-degrees}}</ref> Portman graduated from Harvard in 2003 and her sole screen appearance that year was in the brief part of a young mother in the war film ''[[Cold Mountain (film)|Cold Mountain]]''.<ref name="actors" /><ref name="NYT_20110228">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/science/01angier.html|title=Natalie Portman, Oscar Winner, Was Also a Precocious Scientist|last=Angier |first=Natalie|date=February 28, 2011|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628060707/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/science/01angier.html|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Natalie Portman Pushes Microfinance – The Stanford Review |url=http://stanfordreview.org/article/natalie-portman-pushes-microfinance |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170413233019/http://stanfordreview.org/article/natalie-portman-pushes-microfinance/ |archive-date=2017-04-13 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=stanfordreview.org |language=en-US}}</ref> She described this period as the "most difficult time" in her life, noting that she wasn't getting work and felt criticized for her performances in ''Star Wars''. After taking time off, she begged for the ''Cold Mountain'' role, which [[Mike Nichols]] helped secure, offering her a letter of support that helped her regain confidence.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Pringle |first=Gill |date=February 29, 2008 |title=Natalie Portman - more than a woman |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231022075256/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |archive-date=2023-10-22 |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[File:Natalie Portman in 2005 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Portman in 2005|Portman on the set of ''[[Free Zone (film)|Free Zone]]'' in 2005]]

Portman began 2004 by featuring in the romantic comedy ''[[Garden State (film)|Garden State]]'', which was written and directed by its star [[Zach Braff]]. She was the first actor to sign on to the film after finding a connection with her part: a spirited young girl suffering from epilepsy.<ref name=enchanting/><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-08-08-0408080300-story.html |title = 'Garden' variety of coming-of-age themes |first = Steve |last = Baltin |date = August 8, 2004 |work = [[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807090137/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-08-08-0408080300-story.html |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her role in it was described by Nathan Rabin of ''The A.V. Club''. as a prime example of the [[Manic Pixie Dream Girl]] character type – a stereotypical female role designed to spiritually help a male protagonist.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rabin |first1=Nathan |title=The Bataan Death March of Whimsy Case File #1: Elizabethtown |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-bataan-death-march-of-whimsy-case-file-1-elizabet-1798210595 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=January 25, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926070740/https://www.avclub.com/the-bataan-death-march-of-whimsy-case-file-1-elizabet-1798210595 |url-status=live }}</ref> Portman later said she found it upsetting to have contributed to the trope.<ref name="vf18">{{cite magazine |url = https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/natalie-portman-cover-story |title = Natalie Portman: Voice of Light |first = Durga |last = Chew-Bose |date = October 30, 2018 |magazine = Vanity Fair |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-date = August 8, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200808234149/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/natalie-portman-cover-story |url-status = live }}</ref> She followed it by playing a mysterious stripper in ''[[Closer (2004 film)|Closer]]'', a romantic drama directed by Mike Nichols based on the [[Closer (play)|play of the same name]], and co-starring [[Julia Roberts]], [[Jude Law]], and [[Clive Owen]]. Portman agreed to her first sexually explicit adult role after turning down such parts in the past, saying it reflected her own maturity as a person.<ref name=enchanting/><ref name="guardian05">{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/jan/07/2 |title = Dangerous liaisons |first = Lisa |last = Allardice |date = January 7, 2015 |work = The Guardian |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807091626/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/jan/07/2 |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She had also performed her first nude scenes for the film, but they were deleted from the final cut when she insisted that they were inessential to the story.<ref name="guardian05"/> ''Closer'' grossed over $115 million worldwide against a $27&nbsp;million budget, and the critic [[Peter Travers]] took note of Portman's "blazing, breakthrough performance", writing that she "digs so deep into the bruised core of her character that they seem to wear the same skin."<ref>{{cite web |title = Closer |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=closer.htm |publisher = Box Office Mojo |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181212001759/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=closer.htm |archive-date = December 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/closer-2-100624/ |title = Closer |first = Peter |last = Travers |date = December 3, 2004 |magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807091628/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/closer-2-100624/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and received an [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Academy Award]] nomination in the same category.<ref name="oscar-db">{{cite web |url = http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearch?action=searchLink&displayType=6&BSNomineeID=69768 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204190852/http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearch?action=searchLink&displayType=6&BSNomineeID=69768 |url-status=dead |archive-date = December 4, 2012 |title = Academy Award Database: Natalie Portman |publisher = Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date = March 1, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="globe-db">{{cite web |url = http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29803 |title = Golden Globe Award Database: Natalie Portman |publisher = Hollywood Foreign Press Association |access-date = March 1, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120902134507/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29803 |archive-date = September 2, 2012}}</ref>

''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'', the final installment of the ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy, was Portman's first film release of 2005. It earned over $848&nbsp;million to rank as the [[2005 in film|second-highest-grossing film of the year]].<ref>{{cite web |title = 2005 Worldwide Grosses |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2005/?ref_=bo_cso_table_1 |publisher = Box Office Mojo |access-date = May 23, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190707054520/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2005&p=.htm |archive-date = July 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She next played a Jewish-American girl in ''[[Free Zone (film)|Free Zone]]'', a drama from Israeli filmmaker [[Amos Gitai]]. To prepare, she studied at the [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]] and read memoirs of [[Yitzhak Rabin]], which she said allowed her to explore both the role and her own heritage.<ref name="guardian05"/><ref name="nytsm">{{cite news |title = Screen Goddess: Natalie Portman |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/style/tmagazine/02portman.html |work = The New York Times |last = Hirschberg |first=Lynn |date = December 2, 2007 |access-date = July 1, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180701164907/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9E01E1DD143EF931A35751C1A9619C8B63.html |archive-date = July 1, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Controversy arose when she filmed a kissing scene at the [[Wailing Wall|Western Wall]], where gender segregation is enforced, and she later issued an apology.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://ew.com/article/2005/03/01/natalie-portman-apologizes-wailing-wall-smooch/ |title = Natalie Portman apologizes for Wailing Wall smooch |first = Gary |last = Susman |date = March 1, 2005 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807093400/https://ew.com/article/2005/03/01/natalie-portman-apologizes-wailing-wall-smooch/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Critics disliked the film for its heavy-handed approach to the conflicts in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1159177-free_zone/ |title=Free Zone |date=November 15, 2011 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111052643/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1159177-free_zone/ |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Portman's final film role in 2005 was that of [[Evey Hammond]] in the political thriller ''[[V for Vendetta (film)|V for Vendetta]]'', based on the [[V for Vendetta|comics of the same name]], about an alternative future where a [[Neo-fascism|neo-fascist]] regime has subjugated the United Kingdom. She was drawn to the provocative nature of the script, and worked with a dialect coach to speak in an English accent. In a scene in which her character is tortured, her head was shaved on camera; she considered it an opportunity to rid herself of vanity.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/10/natalie_portman_v_for_vendetta_2006_interview.shtml |title = Natalie Portman : V For Vendetta |first = Rob |last = Carnevale |publisher = BBC |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190503070305/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/10/natalie_portman_v_for_vendetta_2006_interview.shtml |archive-date = May 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ruthe Stein of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' deemed it Portman's strongest performance to that point, and remarked that she "keeps you focused on her words and actions instead of her bald head."<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/In-Vendetta-disastrous-U-S-and-British-2502015.php |title = In 'Vendetta,' disastrous U.S. and British policymaking gives rise to terrorism – what a shocker |first = Ruthe |last = Stein |date = March 16, 2006 |work = San Francisco Chronicle |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190506032007/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/In-Vendetta-disastrous-U-S-and-British-2502015.php |archive-date = May 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was awarded the [[Saturn Award for Best Actress]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/superman-tops-saturns-1117964717/ |title = 'Superman' tops Saturns |date = May 10, 2007 |work = Variety |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018193734/http://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/superman-tops-saturns-1117964717/ |archive-date = October 18, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Portman began 2006 by hosting an episode of the television sketch comedy show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref name=baldtruth>Freydkin, Donna. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-03-14-portman_x.htm "Portman's bald truth: She's no pixie"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914202908/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-03-14-portman_x.htm |date=September 14, 2012 }}. ''[[USA Today]]'', March 14, 2006; retrieved January 16, 2011.</ref> One of her sketches, a song named "Natalie's Rap", was released later in 2009 on ''[[Incredibad]]'', an album by the [[Lonely Island]].<ref>Kaufman, Gil. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601144/andy-samberg-recruits-tpain-justin-timberlake-new-album.jhtml "'SNL' Star Andy Samberg Recruits T-Pain, Justin Timberlake, Norah Jones For New Album"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401025222/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601144/andy-samberg-recruits-tpain-justin-timberlake-new-album.jhtml |date=April 1, 2011 }}. [[MTV News]], December 11, 2008; retrieved July 31, 2011.</ref> In the anthology film ''[[Paris, je t'aime]]'', consisting of eighteen short films, she had a role in the segment named "Faubourg Saint-Denis" from director [[Tom Tykwer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/paris-je-t-aime-1200516181/|title=Review: 'Paris je t'aime'|last=Nesselson|first=Lisa|date=May 18, 2006|work=Variety|access-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005041934/http://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/paris-je-t-aime-1200516181/|archive-date=October 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, she starred in [[Miloš Forman]]'s ''[[Goya's Ghosts]]'', about the painter [[Francisco Goya]]. Forman cast her in the film after finding a resemblance between her and Goya's portrait ''[[The Milkmaid of Bordeaux]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/goyas-ghosts/2006/11/10/1162661890630.html |title = Goya's ghosts |newspaper = The Age |date = November 10, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100412104311/http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/goyas-ghosts/2006/11/10/1162661890630.html |archive-date = April 12, 2010}}</ref> She insisted on using a body double for her nude scenes after discovering on set that she had to perform them when they were not originally in the script.<ref name="guardian07">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/nov/25/1|title=More than meets the eye|last=McLean|first=Craig|date=November 25, 2007|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227165019/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/nov/25/1|archive-date=February 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It received predominantly negative reviews, but [[Roger Ebert]] was appreciative of Portman for playing her dual role "with fearless conviction".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goyas_ghosts/ |title=Goya's Ghosts Movie Reviews, Pictures |date=February 26, 2008 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=November 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216013952/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goyas_ghosts/ |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/goyas-ghosts-2007|title=Goya's Ghosts (2007)|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=July 19, 2007|publisher=RogerEbert.com|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807150216/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/goyas-ghosts-2007|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>