Cast: Keira Knightley, Aaron Johnson, and Jude Law
Director: Joe Wright
Synopsis: This film, based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel of the same name, depicts the tragedy of Anna Karenina, a married woman in Russia’s aristocratic society who has an affair with the wealthy Count Vronsky. Meanwhile, her brother Oblonksy is dealing with the results of being caught in adultery, while his friend Levin pursues marriage to a young girl named Kitty.
Review:
Anna Karenina was a delight to behold. Nearly the entire film was set as if on a theater stage, and with each scene came a closing or opening of a curtain, maneuvering of a backdrop, or shifting of a ceiling or floor. These whimsical effects brought beauty and light to a setting that had the potential to be rather dreary, as most winters in Russia are. One could even suggest that the fact that the characters are on a stage alludes to the way their society was at the time. Throughout the plot, Anna, her husband, and others are under constant scrutiny and criticism, as if their private life is on a stage for all to see. And when Levin, an introvert who dislike the politics of the city, retreats to his home in the country, the stage disappears.
Also of note is the distinct Russian feel of the soundtrack. Although it is filled with English actors, the film is able to maintain its Russian qualities through it’s use of 18th and 19th century classical inspired music. The score, composed by Dario Marianelli, meshed well with the many plot twists and turns throughout the movie.
However, even with the artistic cinematography and perfectly satisfactory casting, Anna Karenina still lacked in its character development and reeling in of the audience. The watcher receives few glimpses of Anna in mentally exposed positions. Although there is a fair amount of dialogue describing her actions, there are no instances in which her thought process is made known. By the end of the movie, she has done little to inspire any sympathy or pity towards her. The train that ends her life was almost looked forward to. A character doesn’t always have to be likeable, but with so few nice, warm characters present in this film, Anna’s lack of appeal and ability to fascinate the audience made for a disappointing film. Finding myself emotionally attached to the characters solely because I learned of their depth and emotions from reading the novel led to me not being too sad when the credits finally appeared on the screen.
Although one wouldn't call it revolutionary or on its way to becoming a new favorite, Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina is still visually attractive and contains laudable performances from Knightley and Jude Law. However lacking in some areas, the film’s flaws are made up for with small details and beautiful special effects. Allow yourself to be swept away in them while keeping an open mind, and you are sure to enjoy yourself.
Director: Joe Wright
Synopsis: This film, based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel of the same name, depicts the tragedy of Anna Karenina, a married woman in Russia’s aristocratic society who has an affair with the wealthy Count Vronsky. Meanwhile, her brother Oblonksy is dealing with the results of being caught in adultery, while his friend Levin pursues marriage to a young girl named Kitty.
Review:
Anna Karenina was a delight to behold. Nearly the entire film was set as if on a theater stage, and with each scene came a closing or opening of a curtain, maneuvering of a backdrop, or shifting of a ceiling or floor. These whimsical effects brought beauty and light to a setting that had the potential to be rather dreary, as most winters in Russia are. One could even suggest that the fact that the characters are on a stage alludes to the way their society was at the time. Throughout the plot, Anna, her husband, and others are under constant scrutiny and criticism, as if their private life is on a stage for all to see. And when Levin, an introvert who dislike the politics of the city, retreats to his home in the country, the stage disappears.
Also of note is the distinct Russian feel of the soundtrack. Although it is filled with English actors, the film is able to maintain its Russian qualities through it’s use of 18th and 19th century classical inspired music. The score, composed by Dario Marianelli, meshed well with the many plot twists and turns throughout the movie.
However, even with the artistic cinematography and perfectly satisfactory casting, Anna Karenina still lacked in its character development and reeling in of the audience. The watcher receives few glimpses of Anna in mentally exposed positions. Although there is a fair amount of dialogue describing her actions, there are no instances in which her thought process is made known. By the end of the movie, she has done little to inspire any sympathy or pity towards her. The train that ends her life was almost looked forward to. A character doesn’t always have to be likeable, but with so few nice, warm characters present in this film, Anna’s lack of appeal and ability to fascinate the audience made for a disappointing film. Finding myself emotionally attached to the characters solely because I learned of their depth and emotions from reading the novel led to me not being too sad when the credits finally appeared on the screen.
Although one wouldn't call it revolutionary or on its way to becoming a new favorite, Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina is still visually attractive and contains laudable performances from Knightley and Jude Law. However lacking in some areas, the film’s flaws are made up for with small details and beautiful special effects. Allow yourself to be swept away in them while keeping an open mind, and you are sure to enjoy yourself.
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