In a recent interview with a media outlet, Martin Freeman addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the film “Miller’s Girl,” in which he stars alongside Jenna Ortega. The controversy stems from the significant age gap between the two actors, with Ortega being 31 years younger than Freeman.
The Netflix movie tells the story of a romance between a high school student and her English teacher, played by Freeman. While the film received praise for its compelling storyline, it also faced criticism for the noticeable age difference between the lead actors: Ortega, at 21, and Freeman, at 52. Some online users commended the film for challenging stereotypes, while others condemned it for potentially glorifying relationships between minors and authority figures.
In defense of the film, Freeman described “Miller’s Girl” as “mature and nuanced,” emphasizing the complexity of its themes. He stressed that the movie does not endorse or celebrate the age gap between the characters.
Freeman drew a comparison to Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed 1993 film “Schindler’s List,” questioning whether actors like Liam Neeson, who starred in a Holocaust-themed movie, faced similar scrutiny.
Despite the controversy surrounding it, “Miller’s Girl” gained attention, but it did not achieve significant success on Netflix.
About “Miller’s Girl”:
A provocative thriller, “Miller’s Girl” explores the forbidden romance between high schooler Cairo Sweet and her English teacher, Jonathan Albert Miller. The film, rated R, premiered theatrically on January 26, 2024, following its debut at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Despite being produced on a $4 million budget, it had a limited release, showing on only 350 screens. The cast includes Martin Freeman as Jonathan Albert Miller, Jenna Ortega as Cairo Sweet, Bashir Salahuddin as Boris Fillmore, Gideon Adlon as Winnie Black, Dagmara Domińczyk as Beatrice June Harper, and Christine Adams as Joyce Manor. However, its box office earnings amounted to just $856,842.