Directed by:
Joe WrightScreenplay:
Tom StoppardCinematography:
Seamus McGarveyComposer:
Dario MarianelliCast:
Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen, Alexandra Roach, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Emily Watson (more)VOD (3)
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The timeless story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, while illuminating the lavish society that was imperial Russia. The time is 1874. Vibrant and beautiful, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) has what any of her contemporaries would aspire to; she is the wife of Karenin (Jude Law), a high-ranking government official to whom she has borne a son, and her social standing in St. Petersburg could scarcely be higher. She journeys to Moscow after a letter from her philandering brother Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen) arrives, asking for Anna to come and help save his marriage to Dolly (Kelly Macdonald). En route, Anna makes the acquaintance of Countess Vronsky (Olivia Williams), who is then met at the train station by her son, the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). When Anna is introduced to Vronsky, there is a mutual spark of instant attraction that cannot - and will not - be ignored. (Universal Pictures UK)
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Joe Wright won me over with his phenomenal film adaptations of Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, so I was counting on Anna Karenina to be another film that would fully immerse me and transport me with its atmosphere to the time in which the story takes place. Unfortunately, I have to say that this time it didn't happen. The original approach to the film's space, which is largely set in a theatre, seems very imaginative at first glance, no question about it. But the great novel (story) that "Anna Karenina" undoubtedly is is very much harmed by the confinement between four "bare" walls, not to mention the way the sets and props look (the use of a model train, I don't know why, irritated me quite a bit). As for the cast, at times I felt that some of the actors didn't take their roles too seriously (maybe a connection to the theatre, who knows), which was a bit annoying. In short, this film was quite a disappointment for me, which is all the more so considering the director's previous efforts.
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It didn't work out. Joe Wright has once again immersed himself in the waters of a period drama with perfect camera work, a captivating soundtrack from Darlo Marianelli, and the queen Keira Knightley, but this time he stumbled. There is none of the enchantment of Pride and Prejudice or the intimate fatalism of Atonement. Anna Karenina loses me due to its uninteresting supporting characters, at times disruptive theatrical form, and most importantly, the emotions that are lacking most of the time. I admired Vronsky or respected Minister Karenin, but all the loves and sufferings of the main triangle evoked less of a surrender from me and more of a cautious interest. And that is an inevitable disappointment when it comes to Wright adapting classic literature.
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Absolutely captivating, riveting and enchanting. I must admit that I didn’t expect much from Anna; I was afraid that I was in for rather a kitsch, historical bed-bath, but how wrong I was. I was shocked and surprised by the movie; it holds utterly unexpected things in store, served up to you with such noblesse and mystery. I take my hat off to the entire stage. The idea of making it all take place inside a grand theatre was just incredible. To start with, it bothered me a little, but after a short while I got right into it - you’ll love it. The theatricality was complemented by excellent acting performances. Keira Knightley makes a very convincing and venerable Anna Karenina and I fell in love with her at first sight. The plot was a bit bland and ordinary by today’s standards, but toward the end of the 19th century, when it was written, it caused an uproar. I’m slightly disappointed that the filmmakers didn’t make a little more of Anna’s death, but that’s how it happened in the novel (at the end) and it didn’t spoil the movie for me all in all. And the portrayal of how Russian High Society, the creme de la creme, simply destroyed Anna is marvelous. I am thrilled and full of emotions.
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A beautifully made, pointless thing. Really, even though I can appreciate the way the film is made, in a theatre backstage, this approach doesn’t bring any added value. Actually, I thought it was counterproductive, because the loud unrealism distracted me from the characters, which means that Anna Karenina missed me completely on an emotional level – with the minor exception of sowing hatred towards the protagonist.
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I really enjoyed seeing Alicia Vikander’s face, as well as Kelly Macdonald's presence and Jude Law's performance. Everything else was pointless. The theater belongs in the theater and Keira can finally stop reigning. I still get the feeling from her that her supposed talent isn't half as pronounced as her eyebrows. On the other hand, I have perhaps never seen such mannerisms from Karenina before. And that's saying something.
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