Natalie by day and night in Canada

There’s Shelfy…and then there’s Natalie. Jessica Biel has always referred to the “Top Tier”, a club to which she does not belong that, of course, includes Natalie Portman on a short list of young actors constantly presented with the most prestigious parts.

Biel has blamed her exclusion from the “Top Tier” on her good looks, lamenting that it’s her beauty that has held her back.

Natalie Portman isn’t beautiful?

Please.

This is Natalie Portman yesterday in Toronto promoting Love and Other Impossible Pursuits at TIFF, first at the press conference and then at the gala premiere.

Fresh faced, light makeup, I mean that’s just… not fair. And it’s not like it gets old. I saw her multiple times at Cannes in 2008 – she has a face that never gets boring. She even looks good mid-sentence or mid-blink. Moments when anyone else would appear distorted, Natalie Portman is still perfect.

And on the carpet last night…

Laura said she could hardly focus because she couldn’t stop staring at her. In a bright print Lanvin dress with fuschia lips, so elegant, and sassy too. Natalie Portman can work the cameras. And the photographers in the stills pool were losing their sh-t.

Portman is professional, respectful, understands it’s a job. She’s nice, but not overly nice. Pleasant but not gushy. Certainly there’s a wall, and she’s smart enough to be able to keep it up. At the same time, she’s also clever enough to give just enough so that she’s able to sell her movie without opening up too much about her life. And there’s a wicked sense of humour under there too. You just have to earn it.

If there’s a flaw in Natalie however it’s the footwear. Laura remarked that her shoes last night were a disservice to that dress. This almost always the case. They don’t suck…but they’re not all that spectacular. In her case, the reason is less about style than it is about principle. Natalie’s animal friendly, eco-friendly position prohibits her from many lines and styles. So on this point she gets a pass.

Favourite Natalie Portman quote comes from Ryan Gosling. On whether or not he’d ever agree to star in a remake of Roman Holiday:

"I love that film, and (Natalie Portman is) the only person who could do it. She's like water, that girl. She moves through everything untouched."

This is why it’s always been a dream: Natalie Portman and Ryan Gosling. And they teased us with it in February but it went no further than flirty friends and text messages.

Maybe one day.


Photos from Wenn.com and Splashnewsonline.com