A new book by Rachel Cusk has upset Natalie Portman. The book’s protagonist “M” seemingly mirrors Portman, and according to the actress, it does not align with the truth.
Insiders claim Natalie Portman feels betrayed by former friend’s revealing literary project
Cusk’s book describes her central character, M, and her life’s ups and downs. According to The Hollywood Gossip, Portman seems to have concluded that the book, indeed, is based on her.
The book has reportedly upset the actress who once called Cusk one of her favorite writers. “The Life of M,” by Rachel Cusk begins with, “A little while ago, I told the actor M that I was thinking of writing her autobiography. She liked the idea. She’s a good sport.”
Cusk also seems to have referenced “The Black Swan”. At one point, she describes M as a child star who had been cast in a film about ballet. This echoes Portman’s Oscar-winning performance as Nina Sayers in Darren Aronofsky’s 2010 psychological thriller.
The resemblances do not stop here. The life arc of M, being a child star with a Harvard education, marriage to a French choreographer, move to Paris, and subsequent divorce, closely correlates to Portman’s life. Notably, Portman rose to fame in “Léon: The Professional”, graduated from Harvard in 2003, and married choreographer Benjamin Millepied in 2012. She moved to Paris and finalized their divorce in 2024.
Reports say that her unfavourable portrayal has hurt the Oscar-winner. A literary critic said, “It’s very identifiably a portrait of Natalie Portman that doesn’t seem to recognize her as fully human, suggesting she’s been subsumed by her own fame.” He also thinks that the book “dehumanizes” Portman. The critic blasted the writer, saying that she has created a flimsy fictional “dominion” to escape responsibility.
The Story of M will be available at bookstores in August.
DO YOU THINK THE WRITER IS TELLING THE TRUTH?
