Keira Knightley

[MulletProof]

All this talk makes me want to see Anna Karenina asap.. hopefully tomorrow.

As for her performances, I loved Pride and Prejudice but never got the fuss about Keira's performance, she certainly has a problem holding her 'notes' so to speak (aka. sort of breaks off the mood in critical scenes), and I thought her acting in Atonement was unremarkable in that same aspect. My earliest memory of Keira and what remains my favorite performance is Lara in Dr. Zhivago, I thought she was fantastic, never too aware (unaware I'd say) of her looks/angles, serene and still powerful, she carried every scene perfectly, probably because, unlike other period films, Dr. Zhivago's pretty rustic, there's hardly any of that aristocrat pomposity of Joe's films (which I do love!). Last Night's probably my second favorite.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

...like the proposal in the rain where her jaw is quivering and she's talking 90 mph without taking a breath.

I can totally see it, lol. Now I'll never watch that scene in the same way. Thanks!

 

[chickadee]

I can totally see it, lol. Now I'll never watch that scene in the same way. Thanks!

I'm sorry! LOL Just do what I do and focus on MacFayden. He simmers in that scene. It's like, Hello, Mr. Darcy.

 

[commejeveux]

You know what? Weirdly enough I like Joe's Pride & Prejudice. A lot, actually. It easily outranks "Atonement" for me. Dario Marianelli's score, Matthew MacFayden's Darcy, the cinematography...all beautiful. And it's not one of her worst performances in my opinion. It's just sometimes she takes me out of the film, like the proposal in the rain where her jaw is quivering and she's talking 90 mph without taking a breath. Then there's the scene at Pemberly where she stands up in the carriage and just giggles. But yeah, it's mostly little things about her performance that get under my skin. Otherwise, I can and do watch the film often with only a little contempt for her Elizabeth.

I enjoyed her acting in Pride & Prejudice more because her performance was the most credible then. But then later in her next movies, it seemed to me as if her range of acting capabilities are in fact quite limited. I know that's quite a harsh judgement but I never saw a lot of evolution in her acting skills. Apart from the transformation from Bend It Like Beckham to bigger roles, I actually see her as an actress who plays pouty/moaning/quivering/ women well but then revels herself in it. In contrast to Carey Mulligan for example who has played far more diverse characters.

Luckily her style is far more interesting albeit disappointing at times as well.

 

[chickadee]

^^I used to adore her candid style so much. I still do, but she doesn't wow me as often as she used to.

But to keep this from being a hating-Keira session, I will say that I have always alternately envied and been inspired by the way she carries herself. Even at the tender age of 19, she was able to pull off that mid-driff bearing premiere outfit at the first POTC with the poise and strength of a woman twice her age. She strikes me as a person with a solid sense of self (even though for a minute there she was really laying it on thick with the I'm-a-crass-crude-young-woman-just-like-any-other bit in a lot of her interviews). Despite the pouty face she puts on (which I detest), more often than not she pulls off whatever she's wearing on the red carpet because she's incredibly comfortable in herself and it shows. That's refreshing in a time when red carpets are dominated by either the try-too-hards and the dull factory-made "it girls." She's not fake. Her sense of self is not a put on. Even in her less attractive outfits she still manages to look amazing because of that confidence and innate dignity. That's truly commendable, IMO, especially in a day and age when low self-esteem is on the rise, and practically everything in Western society is designed to break a young girl's spirit and outlook on herself. That's why I keep coming here: her lovely style and enviable poise.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

She's not fake. Her sense of self is not a put on. Even in her less attractive outfits she still manages to look amazing because of that confidence and innate dignity.

Again I agree: i love her style both on and off the red carpet. And she's so beautiful!!

 

[Captain_Lydia]

In defense of her acting I've noticed when I follow actors/actresses & watch all their movies you start to notice patterns in all of them. Most of them repeat the way they do pain, sorrow, happy, etc. I've yet to see an actor that doesn't have patterns, even the great Gary Oldman. She's just gotten more attention for hers and admittedly hers are pretty obvious i.e. the pout and jaw jutting, but she's not the only one. Not saying she's in the same league as Gary either, but I've always enjoyed her performances except for A Dangerous Method although some of that was editing. They clearly jumped back and forth between takes and not very well.

What's been said about her style I very much agree with. Even when she wears something fugly she wears it like it was made of gold.

 

[GinAndTonic]

I agree with you Captain_Lydia, but what makes me think Keira Knightley is not a GREAT actress is not the fact that she acts the same in all her films, but the fact that most of the time, her acting take me out of the films (as chickadee mentioned). It's like watching someone who knows they're pretending to be someone else... if that makes any sense. That said, I do enjoy seeing her on screen, she's not a great actress but she does has that je ne sais quoi.

Plus, I think she's quite an inspiration, I'm always interested in watching/reading her interviews. She always has something interesting to say about the films she's in, the books she's read, etc.

 

[commejeveux]

Plus, I think she's quite an inspiration, I'm always interested in watching/reading her interviews. She always has something interesting to say about the films she's in, the books she's read, etc.

So true. She sounds very grounded, intelligent and humble in her interviews.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

What a lovely, nuanced and nice discussion about Keira's acting, style and persona. I am enjoying reading all the varied and thoughtful opinions.

 

[YoninahAliza]

She's not fake. Her sense of self is not a put on. Even in her less attractive outfits she still manages to look amazing because of that confidence and innate dignity. That's truly commendable, IMO, especially in a day and age when low self-esteem is on the rise, and practically everything in Western society is designed to break a young girl's spirit and outlook on herself. That's why I keep coming here: her lovely style and enviable poise.

I haven't had a chance yet to comment on Keira's acting but I've loved reading everyone else's thoughts about it. Personally, my three favorite roles and movies of Keira's are Pride and Prejudice, Bend It Like Beckham, and Atonement. All three were beautifully made with fantastic story-lines which can certainly help an actress give her best.

I think Bend It Like Beckham is interesting because I'd argue it's when we saw Keira at her most "boyish" and in her least "feminine" character (but arguably a feminist character). Obviously at the start of her career she had less of a choice of what sort of character she wanted to play, so this may factor in as well, yet I think she handled the role very well. But I may be a tad biased because Bend It Like Beckham is one of my all time favorites.

As for P&P and Atonement, I've read both books and seen both films. The adaptations are fantastic and Joe Wright did a great job. I like Keira in both roles perhaps because I can relate to her characters but also because it feels to me like they are some of her best performances. Taking on a such a role as beloved literary character like Elizabeth Bennet can be hard because everyone has ideas of who the character is but she was able to make the character her own.

I will say, I do think she has her faults, the jaw issue as others have brought up, but I do like watching her in films because she sort of has a sense of grace that comes through. And maybe this is because I'm very aware of what kind of interviews Keira gives and how she portrays herself, but I really do feel like she tries to bring some sort of presence to each role. I so agree with you Chickadee, Keira's sense of self is just so admirable, I have a lot of respect for her on that level. Keira's sense of character comes across as genuine. Whether or not she's a fantastic actress can be debated but I find it hard to find fault with her as a person. Which is why I like reading this thread, watching/reading her interviews and seeing what she will wear, it's nice to see someone in Hollywood come across the way she does, with a sense of integrity and honesty.

 

[LolaSvelt]

I've said this before on this thread (I'm sure I have), but Pure is easily her best performance. It's a performance without vanity and I really wish she would pick a role like this again. Perhaps a role in an Andrea Arnold film? A kind of director that isn't really interested in making a pretty film (though Wuthering Heights had some gorgeous shots). I really liked her in Doctor Zhivago and Pride & Prejudice. Bend It Like Beckham I was also thought she was very good and I was pleasantly surprised with her performance in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. It's been nearly a whole year since I saw A Dangerous Method and I still don't know what to think of that performance and there have definitely been occasions when her acting has been 'off'. I think her biggest problem is that she is too self-aware at times. Her acting style is interesting and definitely sparks some interesting conversations. She is definitely very polarising as an actress.

I've still yet to see Anna Karenina. I finally finished the book months back and I'm just scared to see what they did to it.

Regarding her casual style, I agree with you chickadee. It's not as good as it was.

 

[Captain_Lydia]

I'd also like to add that I kinda miss her doing action films and physically kicking butt. I loved King Arthur and Bend It (though that wasn't battle it's still in the realm of physically doing something) and I liked POTC, the writing was lacking, but it's still nice to see a woman in a warrior role. There are so few female action heros. I understand the need to expand and do quality drama pieces as well, but I do miss it.

 

[chickadee]

LolaSvelt, without giving too much away I'd say the biggest hurdle to overcome is how theatrical the film is. Literally. Joe changes scenes with the opening and closing of curtains, actors walk backstage to enter different scenes, and even the horse race with Vronksy takes place in a kind of auditorium. I think if you can handle that, then you should be good. Like I said, I personally wasn't a fan of Keira's performance, and although Aaron Johnson is good, they're both upstaged by almost all of the supporting cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Ruth Wilson and Matthew MacFayden (who, as it turns out, has flawless comedic timing! He was easily the audience favorite). But all that to say, I'd recommend it if for nothing else but the spectacle of it all. Also, the costumes are FANTASTIC. OMG, I can't even...everything Keira wore I wanted. I don't know where I'd wear it, but still...


Captain_Lydia, I hadn't thought about that but you've got a point. I haven't watched King Arthur in a long time, but I do remember thinking her fight scenes and the bow and arrow were really bad-***.

 

[Cinthia]

Thanks all for the interesting comments about her style, her acting, and her presence. I confess that I'm indifferent to her acting but I'm charmed by her charisma. I follow her mostly because she has a strong aura imo.

 

[commejeveux]

But all that to say, I'd recommend it if for nothing else but the spectacle of it all. Also, the costumes are FANTASTIC. OMG, I can't even...everything Keira wore I wanted. I don't know where I'd wear it, but still...

Yes, I've said it before but the cinematography was so so beautiful! Each scene was like a piece of art. And don't forget the great music!
There was a red dress (not the gown she wears at the ball) Keira wore that was really beautiful as well. Too bad I can't find any pictures of it.
Oh, and that white blanket/large scarf with flowers on it when she laid in her bed was gorgeous too.

source: hoopbikemer.com

 

[Captain_Lydia]

Also, the costumes are FANTASTIC. OMG, I can't even...everything Keira wore I wanted. I don't know where I'd wear it, but still...

I agree so much. I feel that there should just be a day, once a week, where everyone can wear all those over the top costumes. Instead of casual Fridays there can be Marie Antoinette Saturday or something. I think it would be so fun. It's never going to happen, but if I were dictator it would.

 

[Juliet]

Wow that sounds perfect Captain_Lydia

Yes the costume design was heavenly as was the film I loved it and Keira's performance

 

[cestmagique]

It's been nearly a whole year since I saw A Dangerous Method and I still don't know what to think of that performance and there have definitely been occasions when her acting has been 'off'. I think her biggest problem is that she is too self-aware at times. Her acting style is interesting and definitely sparks some interesting conversations. She is definitely very polarising as an actress.

All this talk is interesting to me, I never thought of her as a bad actress. I actually thought she was quite good in A Dangerous Method, because her character did evolve, and I think we are too used to seeing mental illness portrayed within certain bounds. The quote-unquote 'freakish' aspects usually get downplayed somewhat or we see mental illness represented in token ways ('this character has raggedy hair! she's the crazy one!'), whereas Keira was unconstrained and showed what I found to be more realistic behavior. I just keep thinking of different things about her in that movie, how drained she seemed in the beginning, how placid and sad and hopeful she was all at once towards the end... If there's anyone whose acting annoyed me in that, it was Fassbender. I wanted to smack his dumb face during the final scene.

I will say that she gives an impression of being too composed at times, too prepared, which can work well with the big costume dramas, but I'd like to see her somewhat looser and more free. Regardless, I think she has such an unusual aura and warmth as an actress that I simply like seeing her onscreen, whether she's flawless as an actress or not.

 

[chickadee]

Captain_Lydia, super karrma! I would so support your revolution.

I have to disagree completely, but respectfully with you, cestmagique. I thought Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen saved that film. Cronenberg seems to have lost some of his touch, IMO, because that movie was all over the place. But I have to admit that I'm not the most unbiased party when it comes to Fassy, so there's that. And even though his performance was to me inspired, it definitely ranks among his "weakest." Certainly it's miles behind his performances in Hunger, Shame, Fish Tank and Prometheus.

I'd just like to reiterate pretty much every other poster so far in saying that I love this discussion so much, most especially hearing everybody's thoughtful, eloquent responses. If there's anything I love more than fashion it's film. Well, storytelling in general. I'm literally rereading everybody's posts right now. Don't judge me.