Decades later, director Luc Besson still grapples with guilt over featuring 11-year-old Natalie Portman as a sexualized child assassin who smoked cigarettes and took drugs in her breakout 1994 role in The Professional. While Besson and the film faced backlash for the mature role given to a young child actress, it also launched Portman’s career.
The controversy over Portman’s role highlights the larger debate on Hollywood’s treatment of young actors, especially exposing them to adult situations. While Portman emerged unscathed, the concern over sexualizing and mature themes for child actors continues today.
Casting a Child in an Adult Role Causes Unease
In casting an 11-year-old to play Mathilda, a hypersexualized child assassin, Besson made a controversial choice that sparked criticism. Portman smoked, took pills, and was viewed through a sexual lens in the film – concerning content for her age.
But Besson stands by his decision, saying Portman exhibited uncommon maturity during filming. “She was very, very mature compared to girls of the same age,” he said. Besson recalls Portman knew precisely what she was doing and remained unphased. Her preternatural maturity is what convinced Besson she could take on the role.
Casting Natalie Portman in an Adult Role at 11
In The Professional, Portman played Mathilda, an 11-year-old who befriends a hitman after her family is killed. Besson cast Portman as Mathilda knowing the character smoked cigarettes, took drugs, and was hypersexualized.
“I decided to do the film with her because she was very mature for her age emotionally,” Besson said.“I made a kid become a drug addict and smoke cigarettes.”
But he admits feeling guilty for exposing a young Portman to an adult role
Response Sparked Controversy
The sexualization of a child actress sparked controversy, making Portman’s parents uneasy. “Of course, her parents were really scared,” Besson said. Critics argued casting a child in such a sexual role was inappropriate.
But the film also stands as the role that made Natalie Portman a star. Despite the discomfort over the content, her mature performance wowed audiences. While acknowledging the film’s problematic aspects, Besson maintains that 11-year-old Portman handled the risqué role with poise beyond her years.
Debate Over Exploitation Continues
Even 25 years later, casting such a young child in a sexualized role sparks debate. But Portman herself maintains she was not exploited or traumatized by the experience. While the controversy lingers, for Portman, the role represents the brave launching of her career.
Over 25 years later, Luc Besson still grapples with giving 11-year-old Natalie Portman a mature, sexualized role in The Professional that sparked an outcry. But the film also served as Portman’s breakout, proving her preternatural talent despite her young age. The discomfort over the adult themes of the role will continue to fuel debate on exploiting child actors. But for Portman, the experience stands as a potentially risky choice that paid off in catapulting her fledgling career.
You can watch The Professional by renting/purchasing on Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, and Apple TV.
Source: TIFF Originals
