Natalie Portman Generates Early Academy Buzz in ‘Black Swan’

Natalie Portman has reportedly generated early Oscar buzz for her role in the movie “Black Swan,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Natalie Portman Generates Early Academy Buzz in ‘Black Swan’
Natalie Portman (C) Director Darren Aronofski (R), and Munawar Hosain (L), attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Asscociation Cocktail Party during the 67th Venice Film Festival at Style Lounge on September 2, 2010 in Venice, Italy. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
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<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/natalie_portman_103798386.jpg" alt="Natalie Portman (C) Director Darren Aronofski (R), and Munawar Hosain (L), attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Asscociation Cocktail Party during the 67th Venice Film Festival at Style Lounge on September 2, 2010 in Venice, Italy. ( Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)" title="Natalie Portman (C) Director Darren Aronofski (R), and Munawar Hosain (L), attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Asscociation Cocktail Party during the 67th Venice Film Festival at Style Lounge on September 2, 2010 in Venice, Italy. ( Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1815178"/></a>
Natalie Portman (C) Director Darren Aronofski (R), and Munawar Hosain (L), attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Asscociation Cocktail Party during the 67th Venice Film Festival at Style Lounge on September 2, 2010 in Venice, Italy. ( Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Natalie Portman has reportedly generated early Oscar buzz for her role in the movie Black Swan, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

Black Swan was the opening film at the 67th annual festival, which runs Sept. 1 through Sept. 11.

Portman, 29, plays a ballerina who becomes obsessed with her craft—ultimately taking a toll on her physically and emotionally.

David Gritten of the UK newspaper the Daily Telegraph lauded her performance.

“Every film festival benefits hugely from a strong opening film, and they don’t come a lot stronger than Black Swan,” Gritten noted.

“Powerful, gripping and always intriguing, it also features a lead performance from Natalie Portman that elevates her from a substantial leading actress to major star likely to be lifting awards in the near future.”

Other critics also heaped praise upon the film and its star, saying that this could land the Israeli-born actress an Oscar Award.

“The film looks bound to win its star, Natalie Portman, plaudits and award nominations for her searing performance as the ambitious but insecure Nina,” Geoffrey Macnab of UK newspaper The Independent wrote.

Critic Anne Thompson wrote that the film’s director, Darren Aronofsky, “pulls” a great performance out of Portman.