"There are movies where we are interested in seeing people's lives without agreeing with what they're doing"

Natalie Portman’s statement highlights a fundamental aspect of cinema: the ability to observe human behavior without necessarily condoning or identifying with it. Film, as an art form, can function as a window into the complex, often contradictory nature of humanity. Viewers may find themselves captivated by characters whose choices or moral compasses differ radically from their own. This interest does not come from shared values or approval, but rather from the fascination with understanding what motivates people to behave as they do.

When we watch movies about flawed or even villainous characters, we’re not being asked to endorse their actions. Rather, films offer a safe space to contemplate ethical ambiguity, consequences, and the factors, psychological, social, or circumstantial, that drive behavior. This process cultivates empathy, as it invites the audience to momentarily inhabit lives starkly unlike their own, expanding their capacity to see through varied perspectives. Such stories can provoke introspection and critical thinking, encouraging audiences to grapple with difficult questions about morality, justice, and the human condition.

Moreover, storytelling rooted in moral complexity often results in richer, more nuanced narratives. By refusing to limit protagonists to purely admirable traits, filmmakers present stories that reflect real life’s messiness. Whether it’s the tortured anti-heroes of film noir, the conflicted families of domestic dramas, or the outlaws and rebels of thrillers, these characters live in shades of gray. Audiences, in turn, are compelled to look beyond black-and-white judgments, engaging more deeply with the material.

Ultimately, cinema’s purpose isn’t solely to offer models for imitation. Sometimes, it’s to witness the breadth of what people are capable of, their triumphs and failures, their virtues and vices. Through observation, not agenda, movies challenge us to confront the complexities of others and, by extension, ourselves, fostering a deeper curiosity about the human experience.