Not many actresses have built a legacy as strong as Keira Knightley. Since the 1990’s, Knightley has become an icon. Whether it’s prejudiced lovers, literary characters or soccer players, Knightley has portrayed several strong characters. Given the number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for greatest movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen is a legendary author that my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. My mother grew up to value books written from a feminist point-of-view. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that that took pride in an author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Ever since its release in 2005, Keira Knightley’s movie has stood the test of time as a literary classic. Knightley’s most accomplished film offered a beautiful adaptation of the beloved book by Jane Austen. With the greatest role of her career, Knightley embodies a woman struggling to find a suitable suitor to marry in a family facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Knightley has always been one of those actresses with an aptitude for delivering dramatic monologues in movies, and her strengths are clearly evident in “Pride and Prejudice”. Working alongside Matthew Macfayden who is also amazing, Knightley honours legendary literature. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth angrily confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about destroying her sister’s marriage is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” Knightley’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s book to appreciate it. Centuries after the publication of a powerful piece of literature about women with pride experiencing prejudiced barriers causing danger, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress whose movies audiences treasure.
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean is a fantastic franchise about pirates that earned my cousin’s appreciation. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a cousin that adored Jack Sparrow. I remember he would love embarking on adventures to see movies in theatres about a pirate he grew up to treasure. He always spoke fondly about a franchise that captured pirates travelling Caribbean seas. In 2001, Keira Knightley introduced the franchise in her film “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. In the most adventurous role of her career, Knightley embodies a woman that becomes the victim of pirates engaging in warfare causing despair. Knightley is one of those actresses that has always had a powerful presence, and her strengths as evident in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth Swann first meets Jack Sparrow with whom she isn’t impressed at first sight is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a strong message about friendships impacting everyone. 20 years after the release of an iconic film about pirates crossing Caribbean seas that deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder of an actress whose movies haven’t lost abilities to captivate.
3. The Imitation Game
Alan Turing is a legendary mathematician that my grandfather has always found inspiring. Several years ago, I developed bonds with a grandfather that considered Alan Turing a hero. At an early age, I developed strong bonds with a grandfather fascinated with an innovator that had courage. He would often tell stories about a mathematician that shaped his identity. In 2015, Keira Knightley honoured the mathematician that achieved fame in her film “The Imitation Game”. In the most intelligent role of her career, Knightley embodies a smart woman that designed a machine preventing warfare. Knightley has spent most of her career playing romantic heroines in old-fashioned period pieces. With “The Imitation Game”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a code-breaker. For instance, the scene in which Joan Clarke consoles Alan Turing telling him that his contributions to the world matter showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “The Imitation Game” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about dreams which would resonate with everyone. 80 years after Alan Turing designed a groundbreaking machine preventing a war that was frightening, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an awe-inspiring actress whose commemorated movies are worth celebrating.
4. Atonement
Wrongful conviction has shaped my personality. During my childhood, my life changed when I was wrongfully accused of cheating on a science-fair project. Throwing a tantrum, a girl in my class accused me of plagiarism. A terrible lie, the bullies’ accusation that I had cheated on the project caused me to cry. As someone haunted by memories of a lie that caused resentment, I adored “Atonement”. Released in 2007, Keira Knightley’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book. In the most emotional role of her career, Knightley embodies a woman whose romantic affair with a solider is destroyed by a lie causing despair. Knightley has an aptitude for conveying emotions through body language, and her strengths are evident in “Atonement”. For instance, the scene in which Cecilia takes a dip in the fountain in front of Robbie showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Atonement” one of Keira Knightley’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a profound message about wrongful conviction which would resonate with everyone. An inspiring adaptation of a beloved book about wrongful conviction, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose timeless movies are definitely worthy of celebration.
5. Bend it Like Beckham
Soccer is a great game that has always inspired my brother. I remember a brother that loved playing soccer. Having a strong physique of a warrior, my brother enjoyed playing soccer every week. Born to be an athlete, his feet led teams to victory rather than defeat. As someone treasuring fond memory of a brother that adored David Beckham, I enjoyed “Bend it Like Beckham”. Released in 2002, Keira Knightley’s movie paid tribute to a game that my brother grew up to value. In the most athletic role of her career, Knightley embodies a rebellious teenage girl with a love for playing a game about which she grows to care. With “Bend it Like Beckham”, the actress showcased athletic ability that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Jules bonds with Jess playing soccer showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Bend it Like Beckham” a great spots movie is its message. The film delivers a strong message about dreams which would resonate with everyone. A grand tribute towards a great game, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actress that gaining fame by making memorable movies that earned acclaim.
6. A Dangerous Method
Sigmund Freud is a renowned psychologist that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a psychology teacher that admired a psychologist delivering an inspiring message. He would love discussing a psychologist whose theories shaped his identity. In 2011, Keira Knightley did an exceptional job honouring the psychologist with a dangerous method in her film “A Dangerous Method”. In the most psychotic role of her career, Knightley embodies a woman engaging in a romantic affair with a psychologist that’s a burden to bear. It’s a tough role that gave Knightley a chance to take a risk by playing an unstable character that isn’t likeable. A powerful tribute towards a renowned psychologist in history, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated actress whose timeless movies audiences regard highly.
7. Begin Again
One of the most common criticisms levelled against Kiera Knightley is that she doesn’t take risks as an actress. Knightley has built an image of playing romantic heroines in period dramas that seek marriage. Knightley’s casting in period pieces has often left little room for surprises in the actress’ career. However, in 2013 the actress took audiences by surprise proving she hadn’t lost her abilities to entertain in her film “Begin Again”. In the most melodious role of her career, Knightley portrayed a famous singer seeking to compose melodies people love to hear. It’s a role that gave Knightley an opportunity to step out of her comfort zone by showcasing her talent for melodies. A beautiful portrait of musicians seeking to begin again, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actress that has managed to gain a huge following making movies that entertain.
8. Colette
When it comes to the most celebrated authors in French history that are hard to forget, it’s worth discussing Colette. During the 1900’s, Colette published timeless books that earned a huge following. An inspiring feminist icon, Colette built a legacy which was lasting. In 2018, Keira Knightley did an extraordinary job of portraying the celebrated author in her movie “Colette”. In the most feminist role of her career, Knightley embodies a legendary writer that faces a painful burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing strong feminist characters. Knightley honoured a legendary author in literature. As precious as books written by Colette, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has managed to get audiences excited by making movies that are hard to forget.
9. Official Secrets
Few whistleblowers in British history have achieved the recognition of Katharine Gun. In 2003, Gun made headlines when she leaked a memo to the British press. The controversial memo described the United States’ plan to blackmail diplomats into approving the Iraq War. In 2019, Keira Knightley brought the government’s official secrets to the big-screen in her film “Official Secrets”. In the most methodical role of his career, Knightley embodies a courageous whistleblower that exposed government secrets without fear. It’s a role that gave Knightley a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing strong female characters. Nearly 20 years after Katharine Gun exposed controversial secrets about the British government, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with strong commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise hasn’t always earned appreciation. While most movies have been entertaining, others have fallen short. Unfortunately, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” falls into the latter category. Released in 2007, Keira Knightley’s final Pirates film failed to bring the franchise to a satisfying conclusion. In the most messy role of her career, Knightley embodies a woman engaging in an affair with a pirate. To be fair, the failure of the film isn’t Knightley’s fault. She proves to be the bright spot of a bad movie. For all its flaws,”At World’s End” remains a worthy reminder of Knightley’s strengths as an actress. As strong as Jack Sparrow’s love for the Caribbean sea, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my film criticism dreams into reality.
The Film Buff 