Ivan Reitman’s No Strings Attached is a 2011 romantic comedy film, about how two friends end up developing strong emotional feelings for each other, even after they’d decided to keep things only physical between them. With Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman as the lead stars, the film explores a light-hearted plot about friendships and relationships.
The film was the first rom-com that the Israeli-American actress had taken up, but despite her lack of experience with regard to the genre, thanks to her commendable acting skills, she played her role perfectly well and required little or no assistance during the entire time. Ashton Kutcher himself pointed out the same as he acknowledged her talented acting and merit, claiming that she didn’t need any teaching at all. But at the same time, it was also quite a “challenge” to be working with someone with such expertise.
Ashton Kutcher was highly impressed by Natalie Portman’s diverse skillset
Natalie Portman was a renowned actress even before she took up her first rom-com film, and had worked in various films, most of which were intense and thrilling. From Black Swan to V for Vendetta and Léon, Portman is known for playing characters that often leave a strong imprint on the audience. So, No Strings Attached was a striking change in scenery for her. However, she was still able to captivate her co-star with her prolific caliber.
While talking to Collider about their film and his experience with the Marvel star, Ashton Kutcher explained how brilliant yet challenging it was to work beside someone as experienced as Portman. “She may not have done a rom-com before, but she’s done so much work on so many different levels.”
“I don’t know that there’s anything I can really teach her,” the actor from That ’70s Show observed how he’d come to learn way more things from her than teaching her something new. “I learned more from Natalie in one day of being on set together than I can ever possibly teach her in a billion years.”
Kutcher also remarked that while the experience of working with the Thor actress was one of a kind, at the same time, it was also quite challenging for him.
Ashton Kutcher on why it was challenging to work with Natalie Portman
The former model revealed that there was no lack of chemistry between him and Portman while they were filming No Strings Attached, which is a factor of great value, especially when it comes to doing intimate scenes because the chemistry between two people can change the trajectory of a lot of things.
“It’s easier when you like the person and she’s very likable,” he stated in one of his interviews with Cover Media. “I don’t know that it’s something you can… manufacture.” But The Butterfly Effect actor explained why it was “a blessing and a curse” to work with someone of such brilliant stature.
“She’s probably one of the best actresses of my generation,” he noted. “I believe she is and there’s a blessing and a curse in that as an actor. Because… you know everything you get across from you is going to be real and honest and reactive and beautiful, at the same time when the light shines in the dark room all the dust shows, and so it was a challenge for me to be as honest as she is.”
Natalie Portman is highly successful in her career and is undoubtedly good at what she does. She is the recipient of various accolades including the Oscar and a Golden Globe Award among multiple others. And her experience is incredibly diverse too. So, perhaps, there was some truth to what Kutcher said after all.
No Strings Attached is available for streaming on Netflix.
See also: 5 Best Romantic Comedies From Early 2010s According To Ranker
Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
