Just as I was beginning to think that Keira Knightley is ready to shift into “modern” times, the actress was recently cast in the drama Last Night (not to be confused with Don McKellar’s brilliant end-of-the-word film) she goes back to the roles that have made her career.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Knightley has signed on for another period drama, this time set in the roaring 20’s, portraying none other than Zelda Sayre, the woman who later became Zelda Fitzgerald.
The Beautiful and the Damned will tell the story of Zelda and F. Scott’s tempestuous marriage. Though the couple was the toast of the town in the 20’s and later became the talk of literary circles of Europe, their marriage was troubled from the start. There were issues of alcoholism, infidelity and mental illness to deal with not to mention the fact that Mr. Firtzgerald used accounts from their marriage in a number of his novels, on occasion even lifting passages from her diary for his work. This story drips drama and who better to direct troubled relationships than Nick Cassavetes? Bring on the melodrama!
I recall reading a few accounts of Zelda in Anaïs Nin’s diaries and it all sounded very scandalous. I’m curious to see if writer Hanna Weg has left in the juicy bits of the relationship or it the entire thing has been neutered for wider appeal.
I’ve read a few tidbits here and there of folks backhandedly swiping at Knightley for signing on to yet another period piece but frankly, I’m happy to see that she knows where her strength lies and is willing to play in the field. I’m still curious to see how she’ll do in Last Night but I’ll take this.
No word yet on who will play the literary master. I’m curious…any suggestions?
If you want to watch it onl1ne for free,...
Comment by Jack Paley — July 15, 2009