Rosamund Pike as Jane

The first time I watched, I would agree with you. She is not as breathtakingly beautiful as Jane was said to be. Keira Knightley was far more physically beautiful, and it's kind of funny when Darcy refers to her looks as "tolerable". The book Lizzie was supposed to be pretty, but not as pretty as Keira Knightley!

I wonder if it was because Hollywood will always have a beautiful leading lady, no matter how her character is supposed to look. Maybe they didn't want Jane's actress to outshine Lizzie's?

Anyway, upon rewatching recently, I think she is appealing. Beautiful of course, but not as enchantingly beautiful as was described in the book, but she gives off a certain vibe and demeanor - I'm thinking her appeal was not limited to solely physical looks. Someone who looked too glamorous would not have fit the role.

And, when you write about a character you can make her as beautiful as you want. Even the most beautiful actress will not meet some people's expectations.

I think Rosamund is prettier than Keira in this movie so she's just fine as Jane to me.

Pike is a beautiful woman even if not so "astonishing", but I like her as Jane.
Knightley is too much pretty as Lizzie (maybe Jennifer Ehle from the tv series was closer to the description in book). By the way, I like her portrait of Lizzie, too.

Jane is supposed to be very pretty yes, but not necessarily "astonishingly beautiful." There are comments to the effect that Jane (and Elizabeth second to her) are considered beauties because they live in a small town where there isn't much competition. Although most characters acknowledge her as pretty; Bingley and Mrs Bennet are the only two who rhapsodize about her beauty, and both of them are rather prone to excess and hyperbole.

Come, we must press against the tide of naughtiness. Mind your step.

Rosamund and Keira are too pretty to match the book versions of Jane and Lizzie. They were considered pretty by the locals in their small country social circle. Not much competition there with “plain Charlotte” and Bingeley’s sour puss sisters. They would hardly survive on looks alone in chic places like London or Bath. Jane went to London with her Aunt and Uncle, but no one invited her to balls, no suitors came to court her hand. Compare Lizzy’s trip. She goes to Lady Catherine’s house and gets noticed by both the eligible bachelors on site. Lizzy will shine everywhere but her sisters are not so blessed.