I use to think Natalie Portman was a bad actress/wooden when I saw the first two prequels (I hadn't seen here in much else before then). I've since changed my opinion seeing her in Closer, Garden State ... and a few other movies she was in, she's actually really good. I think you're only as good as what you have to work with. Lucas is a cheesy romantic, obviously ... and couldn't write his way out of wet paper bag. I put the blame on the dialogue itself, more than the actors.