Keira Knightley Talks About Acting and the Golden Globe

At just 22 years old, Keira Knightley has already received the second Golden Globe nomination of her career for her role as leading actress in the recently released motion picture Atonement.

Knightley is in very good company and will go up against some powerful actresses when the winners are announced on January 13th.

Her competition for the Globe is Kate Blanchett in Elizabeth: the Golden Age, Julie Christie in Away from Her, Jodie Foster in The Brave One and Angelina Jolie in The Mighty One.

However, Knightley has as good a chance as any of the other nominees and perhaps better chances than the others because of the fact that Atonement received a total of seven nominations, which could make Knightley the beneficiary from the coattails effect of being in such a powerful film.

Atonement also received nominations for best dramatic motion picture; best actor, James McAvoy, in a dramatic film; best supporting actress, Saoirse Ronan; best director, Joe Wright; best screenplay, Christopher Hampton; and best original score, Dario Marianelli.

While the presentation of the winners of this year’s Golden Globe awards is scheduled for January 13th, the strike by the Writers Guild of America may scuttle a live presentation on television because many actors are saying they will refuse to cross picket lines to attend the event.

As to speculation that Keira is the brightest actor of her generation, Knightley rejects that notion.

"The thing with acting is it's not a job where, if you go to drama school, get the best grades and work the hardest, you're going to be successful,” said Knightley.

"It has nothing to do with whether you're the best or the prettiest. It takes a lot of luck."

Keira’s next role will be to play 18th century English socialite Georgiana Spencer in The Duchess.

Spencer, who was the Duchess of Devonshire, was well known for extravagance, a gambling addiction and a role in the French Revolution.

Knightley said that Spencer’s life was so full and rich that much of her scandalized story had to be left out of the film.

Said Knightley, "We didn't have the budget to go to the French Revolution. You could make five films out of her life."

The video below is an interview with Keira on Belgian TV where she discusses the film Atonement.