Keira Knightley is reminiscing about a perplexing period in her career where she was simultaneously hailed with an Oscar nomination for one film while being lambasted as a "dreadful actress" for another. In a June 12 interview with Vanity Fair, the 40-year-old actress reminisced about receiving an Academy Award nomination in 2006 for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's adaptation of "Pride & Prejudice." Yet, concurrently, she was enduring a barrage of criticism for her role in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
"Yes, it was a significant milestone for my career. Whenever people approach me, it's usually about that one," she told the publication, referring to her turn as the Jane Austen-penned heroine. "Meanwhile, 'Pirates of the Caribbean' had already been released, but in the public eye, I was seen as a terrible actress," she added.
Amidst the scathing reviews for her performance in the second installment of the "Pirates" franchise, Knightley recalled a striking reversal in public perception of her acting prowess. "But 'Pirates' was an unprecedented success. I believe it was the first one that achieved both phenomenal box office success and critical acclaim," she continued.
The actress further elaborated, "I remember it coming out perhaps around the same time as 'Pirates 2.' I received the worst reviews ever for that film, and yet, I was also nominated for an Oscar at the same time—it was incredibly confusing for my 21-year-old self."
Knightley was just 20 when she garnered her Best Actress Academy Award nomination, making her the third youngest nominee ever at that time, according to Variety. When the conversation turned to another one of Knightley's early projects, 2002's "Bend It Like Beckham," she revealed, "I received terrible reviews for it—or at least, the negative ones are the ones I vividly remember. As a 17-year-old, those negative critiques really stuck with me. Ironically, it was also the first time I received unequivocally positive feedback."
Re-released in theaters in April to celebrate its 20th anniversary, "Pride & Prejudice" continues to enchant audiences with its breathtaking cinematography of the picturesque English countryside and the enchanting romantic chemistry between Knightley and Matthew McFadyen's Mr. Darcy. The film adaptation of the 1813 novel has left an enduring legacy.
"I still remember being part of something that felt utterly magical," Knightley reflected fondly.
