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“It’s Grown-Up And Nuanced”: Martin Freeman Doubles Down On 30-Year Age Gap With Jenna Ortega
Martin Freeman defended the age gap controversy with Jenna Ortega in Miller’s Girl, emphasizing that the 31-year difference served the film’s narrative purpose while critics and fans debated its appropriateness.
The 52-year-old British actor told The Times in an article published on Saturday (April 27) that the dramedy centered on an improper relationship between a teacher and a student.
Highlights
- Martin Freeman defended the age gap in 'Miller's Girl', stating it was essential to the narrative.
- The film depicts a controversial relationship between a student, played by Jenna Ortega, and her professor (Martin).
- Critics and fans online have described an intimate scene as 'inappropriate' and 'disgusting'.
Consequently, Martin argued that the film intentionally portrayed characters with significant age discrepancies, underscoring its thematic essence.
“[It’s] grown-up and nuanced. It’s not saying, ‘Isn’t this great?'” the Emmy award winner said.
BP Daily - Your Source for Unbiased Reporting
Martin Freeman defended the age gap in Miller’s Girl, stating it served the film’s narrative
Image credits: Lionsgate Movies
Martin said he felt the criticism was unwarranted, as plenty of stars have appeared in complicated movies without endorsing the subject matter, TMZ reported.
He asserted: “Are we gonna have a go at Liam Neeson for being in a film about the Holocaust?”
Regarding Jenna’s perspective on the matter, she has yet to offer a direct statement.
Since Miller’s Girl’srelease in January, the 21-year-old actress’ intimate scene with Martin has been causing a stir online.
Image credits: Lionsgate Movies
In the dark-comedy drama, Jenna played 18-year-old student Cairo Sweet, who became romantically entangled with her married English professor, Jonathan Miller, played by Martin.
The pair entered into a complicated relationship following a creative writing assignment, leading the educator to risk his marriage and job to help Cairo.
What most raised concerns online was an intimate scene between the two celebs that many people deemed “inappropriate” and “disgusting.”
52-year-old Martin played 21-year-old Jenna Ortega’s on-screen professor and love interest
Image credits: Lionsgate Movies
Someone took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to respond to the erotic sequence, writing, “Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman… I’m uncomfortable.”
Another user said: “This Jenna Ortega/Martin Freeman film is so gross! So, so, so, so gross!”
“Just saw a thread of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) groping Jenna Ortega in [a] new show, strange times,” somebody else wrote on the platform.
Image credits: Lionsgate Movies
Image credits: Lionsgate Movies
Some users brought the stark age difference between the actors to light, remarking that “when Martin Freeman was in his 40s, Jenna Ortega was 10 years old.”
“That Jenna Ortega Martin Freeman clip might be the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” another fan complained.
Another X user wasn’t as disturbed by the scene, joking that The Hobbit actor “aged differently” than the rest of us.
Martin said he felt the criticism was unwarranted, as plenty of stars have appeared in complicated movies
Image credits: BetweenTheLines
“Everyone is freakin out abt [sic] this movie Miller’s Girl because of the age difference,” they wrote on X.
“But really, Hobbits age differently than us. For every one year of our life, that equals three of theirs. So, in reality, Martin Freeman is only like 17 1/2. Jenna Ortega is the cradle robber.”
Back in February, intimacy coordinator Kristina Arjona revealed to the Daily Mail that Jenna was involved in decisions about the curation of the racy moments, ensuring “it was consistent with what she was comfortable with.”
“It’s acting,” a reader commented
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What do you think ?
Justin Tyme 1 year ago
People trying to create an issue where there isn't one. Try to find something useful to do with your time.
Raphapablap 1 year ago
I don't understand why the actor has to defend the work. If there's "outrage" it should be whoever wrote the thing in the first place answering the concerns.
Alec 1 year ago
And then we have that back in 1976 a twelve-year-old Jodie Foster was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Taxi Driver where she played a child... well, look it up (I don't want to get censored). It's called acting for a reason (and also, please keep in mind that the actors' on set experience is nothing like what you see reflected on screen).
Tabitha 1 year ago
She portrayed a child prostitute, a situation a lot of kids who run away from awful homes find themselves in, even today. At least in 1976 we were willing to face that fact.
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Linnoff 1 year ago
The actors are adults and can do what they want. As to the movie, if you watched it, you'd know that Cairo is clearly the one in control the entire time. The intimate scene is the actors acting out a scene she wrote as part of a story. Whether or not you'd go along with it, what 50-year-old wouldn't be flattered to have the attention of someone much younger?
William Teach 1 year ago
Are people still whining about this? Really? It's a movie. It's not real life. Do people think this is real? If it was real, what business is it of theirs?
Lyone Fein 1 year ago
Did either Freeman or Ortega *write* the script? Did either of them have any say in their characters' ages? They are just the actors. They are just doing their jobs of portraying roles that are predefined. People who expect the actors to justify any of it are just barking up the wrong tree. If you don't want to support the movie, then don't give them your money. Easy. . . . But it is so agist to think that people who are decades apart in age can't have beautiful intimate relationships.
Justin Tyme 1 year ago
People trying to create an issue where there isn't one. Try to find something useful to do with your time.
Raphapablap 1 year ago
I don't understand why the actor has to defend the work. If there's "outrage" it should be whoever wrote the thing in the first place answering the concerns.
Alec 1 year ago
And then we have that back in 1976 a twelve-year-old Jodie Foster was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Taxi Driver where she played a child... well, look it up (I don't want to get censored). It's called acting for a reason (and also, please keep in mind that the actors' on set experience is nothing like what you see reflected on screen).
Tabitha 1 year ago
She portrayed a child prostitute, a situation a lot of kids who run away from awful homes find themselves in, even today. At least in 1976 we were willing to face that fact.
Load More Replies... Linnoff 1 year ago
The actors are adults and can do what they want. As to the movie, if you watched it, you'd know that Cairo is clearly the one in control the entire time. The intimate scene is the actors acting out a scene she wrote as part of a story. Whether or not you'd go along with it, what 50-year-old wouldn't be flattered to have the attention of someone much younger?
William Teach 1 year ago
Are people still whining about this? Really? It's a movie. It's not real life. Do people think this is real? If it was real, what business is it of theirs?
Lyone Fein 1 year ago
Did either Freeman or Ortega *write* the script? Did either of them have any say in their characters' ages? They are just the actors. They are just doing their jobs of portraying roles that are predefined. People who expect the actors to justify any of it are just barking up the wrong tree. If you don't want to support the movie, then don't give them your money. Easy. . . . But it is so agist to think that people who are decades apart in age can't have beautiful intimate relationships.
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