The Worst Love Scene EVER

Rating: 2/10 (21 June 2010)

I don't go to movies to watch romantic scenes, but I've seen my share of them over the last half century. And I have to say that the love scene between Anakin (Christensen) and Padme (Portman) was the absolute worst I have seen that was not intentionally campy or satirical. As I watched it I was thinking that Arnold Schwarzenegger could have played the scene more convincingly that Hayden Christensen. I've heard that there was some chemistry between the two of them off-screen, but it certainly wasn't apparent in the film. Natalie Portman's performance wasn't really any better than that of her co-star. At the time they were filming, Portman was a college student who was not certain that she wanted to make acting her life's work, so she didn't put her all into her performance. The only saving grace in this movie: Less Jar Jar Binks than Star Wars I.
I'm surprised that Christensen is still acting, usually in lead roles in low-budget films, most of which tank at the box office if they're ever released. If he wants to build his career he should try to get some minor parts in major productions. That's assuming that a first-line director or studio is willing to take a chance with him. He's 29, young for a male movie star, so he still has some chance.