Anna Karenina-2012
Director Joe Wright
Starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law
Scott’s Review #126
Reviewed July 22, 2014
Grade: B+
Anna Karenina (2012) is the film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel.
Shamefully, I hadn’t read the novel, but I was familiar with the story, so I wasn’t sure how successful the transition from novel to film would be.
The transition proved to be quite successful, as it would turn out.
Being a fan of director Joe Wright, who did wonderful work directing Atonement in 2007, I consider him a master of costumed period pieces, and Anna Karenina is no different in that regard.
It differs, however, in how it is shot. The film is non-traditional, shot with jarring, quick camera movements interspersed with musical numbers.
It resembles Moulin Rouge (2001) in style and isn’t for everyone’s tastes. I enjoy this technique, and combined with the wonderful art direction/costumes, it makes for modern, unique storytelling.
Keira Knightley is adequate as Anna, but nothing special. I have to wonder if she was cast simply because she is typically the lead in Joe Wright films.
It is a tragedy, of course, and a tale of a lonely, love-torn young woman conflicted between two high-class men.
On a broader scale, it’s a story of the romantic entanglements of the high-class world and their trials and tribulations, centering on Anna.
The film’s look impressed me more than the story did.
Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design (won)
