Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a well-known romantic novel from the 1800s. The story focuses on the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, and her character development. As the title suggests, Elizabeth Bennet embodies prejudice while Mr. Darcy embodies pride. Interestingly, this character is portrayed in such a way that she stands out from the other female characters. Having such a strong-willed and intelligent character is one key reason why this story has become quite successful. The popularity of the novel is evident throughout the many screen adaptations. Of course, the screen adaptations add their own twist to the story and characters, making every portrayal unique in its own manner.
Given that the story revolves around Elizabeth Bennet, it is crucial that whoever portrays this character should grasp her personality perfectly. From Greer Garson to Jennifer Ehle and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, there have been many versions of Elizabeth Bennet. However, Keira Knightley's portrayal of the character in Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of the novel, definitely stands out from the rest. As stated by Catherine, Jennifer Ehle held the title of this Bennet sister for 10 years:
"Her version was incomparable until Keira Knightley. Admittedly, their portrayals are different and difficult to compare. Still, Keira Knightley’s deeply sensitive portrayal just edges out Jennifer Ehle."
While Catherine's statement sums up why Knightley's Bennet is the best, this article will unpack and analyze the reasons why Knightley's performance is phenomenal.
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The Capture of Lizzy's Intelligence and Prejudice
Austen ensures that the reader is well aware of Elizabeth Bennet, as she goes into intricate details of her character. In fact, there are many instances when the reader can guess what Lizzy is thinking. Portraying such a beloved character that modern-day women can relate to is definitely no easy task. In fact, Knightley speaks of the fear of not being able to perfectly capture Lizzy's essence in one of her interviews, as she states,
so there’s a huge pressure. It’s terrifying because when you read Pride and Prejudice, you feel like you own her. I know I did. Everybody has a very clear idea of who Elizabeth Bennett is. It’s terrifying but a really exciting challenge.
It is possible to argue that Knightley went on to overcome this challenge, as her delivery of Lizzy is brilliant. In fact, when one watches Knightley's performance, one is reminded of why the world fell in love with Elizabeth Bennet in the first place. The way in which Knightley's Lizzy does not care about her looks and is more concerned about intelligence is definitely a perfect portrayal of Austen's Elizabeth Bennet.
Knightley's Own Twists Make Her Lizzy More Original
Even if one tries to perfectly capture a character in a classic novel, it is impossible not to add their own twists. This is exactly what Knightley does. Her version of Elizabeth Bennet can be a bit more stubborn and harsh. However, that only makes the audience fall in love with Lizzy more. In the infamous scene where Mr. Darcy proposes to Lizzy, the film ensures that the viewer is disgusted by Darcy's comments on Lizzy's "inferior" status and lack of wealth. Lizzy's reaction to this absurd proposal might be harsher than the original Elizabeth Bennet's reaction, but it is definitely justifiable and ensures that the viewer roots for her.
Additionally, Knightley's Lizzy is more playful and alive when compared to Austen's Lizzy. This brings in the right amount of liveliness to the film, in turn, making sure the viewer's eyes are glued to the screen. A Focus Features' article states that:
Knightley’s smoldering passion and determination brought new life to the beloved Jane Austin classic.
All in all, Keira Knightley's Lizzy might not be the exact replica of Austen's Elizabeth Bennet, but she is definitely a brilliant embodiment of prejudice, and the twists only make her a stronger protagonist.
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Perfect Chemistry Between Lizzy and Darcy
Matthew Macfadyen delivers a brilliant performance of Mr. Darcy, with his stubbornness and pride, as well as his subtle caring and romantic nature. Regardless of their ten-year age gap, Macfadyen and Knightley perfectly capture the romantic bond between Darcy and Lizzy. In fact, the infamous hand-flex scene, the moment that Mr. Darcy touches Lizzy for the very first time, is still one of the best romantic gestures in the history of cinema.
From the beginning to the end, the chemistry between Knightley's Lizzy and Macfadyen's Darcy is undeniable. Given that both characters are equally stubborn and strong-willed, brought forth due to the actors' own twists, Lizzy and Darcy in this 2005 adaptation have more compatibility and, thus, a stronger bond.
The Many Nominations and Praises
If the analysis thus far doesn't confirm that Knightley's portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet is the best, the many nominations she has received under the title "Best Actress", including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe nomination, are evidence of this stance. Moreover, Keira Knightley is still being associated with Elizabeth Bennet. In fact, Ashley Oldham calls her "an Elizabeth for the ages."