Natalie Portman: Feminist characters are more than just “kick ass”

In an interview with Elle, Natalie Portman describes what feminism is for her, as an actress:

I want every version of a woman and a man to be possible. I want women and men to be able to be full-time parents or full-time working people or any combination of the two. I want both to be able to do whatever they want sexually without being called names. I want them to be allowed to be weak and strong and happy and sad — human, basically. The fallacy in Hollywood is that if you’re making a “feminist” story, the woman kicks ass and wins. That’s not feminist, that’s macho. A movie about a weak, vulnerable woman can be feminist if it shows a real person that we can empathize with.

So let me get this straight? Feminist character roles for women are basically characters with a 3D personality? Feminists can be weak sometimes? And wait a second, feminism is for men too?

This woman seems to know her stuff.

Related:

The Skyler White problem: can we accept complex female characters?

Black Swan: a Feministing discussion