Keira Knightley was born in the South West Greater London suburb of Richmond on March 26th 1985. She is the daughter of actor Will Knightley and actress turned playwright Sharman Macdonald. An older brother, Caleb Knightley, was born in 1979. Her father is English, while her Scottish-born mother is of Scottish and Welsh origin. Brought up immersed in the acting profession from both sides - writing and performing - it is no wonder that the young Keira asked for her own agent at the age of three. She was granted one at the age of six and performed in her first TV role as "Little Girl" in Screen One: Royal Celebration (1993), aged seven.
Keira had no formal training as an actress and did it out of pure enjoyment but her talents do not end only at acting- she can sing, too.
In the 2013 romantic, musical drama movie “Begin Again,” Keira showed her singing talent (which was partly showcased in Pirates of the Carribbean movie) to another level.
Gretta (Keira Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college lovers and songwriting partners who flee for New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But the promise of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to wander off, and a reeling, staggering Gretta is left on her own. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a shunned record-label executive, stumbles upon her performing on an East Village stage and is immediately captivated by her fresh talent. From this chance encounter develops an enchanting portrait of a mutually changing collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City.
All of the songs in the movie are amazingly composed and sang, but my personal favourite is the song “Like a Fool” wherein Gretta pours out all of her emotions by singing this song to her ex through a phonecall. The acoustic vibe of this song contributes to the sadness evoked by it, especially Keira’s thin and unique voice. The lyrics are simple yet with great impact.
We take a chance from time to time
And put our necks out on the line
And you have broken every promise that we made
And I have loved you anyway
This song is about falling in love and instead of finding yourself, you lose yourself in the process. This might probably the best break-up song ever, all hurt, dismay, regret compressed in one track.
