Anna Karenina

[jeanelle]

I want to agree with some of the criticisms but still enjoyed watching because it was so beautiful and really you could just let it wash over you! People who are put off by the thought of a Russian classic would find it presented just like a soap love story, and loads of people love soaps.

[canadian_turtle]

People who are put off by the thought of a Russian classic would find it presented just like a soap love story, and loads of people love soaps.

I actively dislike soaps, maybe that's part of the reason it didn't appeal to me very much

[Beate]

http://www.standard.co.uk/arts/film/ann ... 04347.html

http://www.standard.co.uk/arts/film/my- ... 04409.html

[kevinknapman]

Well I really liked this a lot. It's a bold and inventive adaptation if slightly lacking in passion.
Most of the cast are pretty good but Domhnall Gleason as Levin was definitely the stand out performance for me.
My full review - http://www.thefilmpilgrim.com/reviews/a ... eview/9259

[prettyxcool]

Well I really liked this a lot. It's a bold and inventive adaptation if slightly lacking in passion.
Most of the cast are pretty good but Domhnall Gleason as Levin was definitely the stand out performance for me.
My full review - http://www.thefilmpilgrim.com/reviews/a ... eview/9259

Nice, kk, always a pleasure to read your well written reviews. You have pinpointed all the things I thought, but could not say, so eloquently!

[fetta]

I was sooo looking forward to this and soo wanted to like it!
Visually it was magnificent - camera, costumes every shot was like a painting, but as an adaptation of the classic Anna Karenina it failed immeasurably. It had a very eclectic approach, first it was farcical and kind of puppeteering with weird choreography thrown in for the sake of artistry, then it had a belated attempt of portraying the tragedy. The chemistry between Vronsky and Anna was non-existent, read somewhere that Aaron Johnson didn't have time to reed the book prior to filming and it shows! It was refreshing to see Karenin portrayed in a good light as it usually is the most obvious adjustment that previous adaptations have made (if he is some kind of a monster then we will all understand and love Anna). Thought that Jude Law and Matthew Macfadyen stole the show, and Keira has a slight neurotic quality that made a brilliant Anna. The Kitty - Levin casting I thought was disappointing and in a way was happy that their story was extremely minimized. The script at times made me cringe, it seems that Stoppard has a funny view of 19c Russian Aristocracy, the scene at the opera house when the lady from the next box called her a slut - really!?! Stoppard should know that actions speak louder then words and apparently he read the book 6 times! As Jeancomp said it felt as a visually stuning soap opera based on Anna Karenina, and I would even recommend it to anyone that hasn't read the classic, everyone else should stay away!

[soonforgotten]

I wanted to love this, especially as someone who usually likes Keira.

And yet... http://londonfilmfanatiq.com/2012/09/07 ... nina-2012/

[vickygodoy]

Can't wait to watch this film!

[biggins]

My friend and I went last night to see this at the Cameo in Edinburgh having read the book many years ago and seen the trailer. But the trailer doesn't show the theatre scenes aspect so we were a bit confused when it many of the scenes took place on a stage. The workers all stamping the paperwork and standing up and sitting down in unison got us wondering what was going on. As Shakespeare said "All the world is a stage and we are just actors in it!" so I can see that this is how her life was being protrayed for all to witness. A lady behind us raved to her friend about how wonderful it was as we left the cinema but I personally didn't warm to it and wished it had been a "normal" film.

I had used the tickets I had won in the Stella Artois competition so I was glad I hadn't pa*d to see it. Disappointing as we were both looking forward to seeing this. 5/10

[aruif]

I went to see this film last week and it's still kind of bothering me. I feel bothered by the idea of it.... how it's staged, literally. It felt so strange to go in and out of real places to scenes. In a way the most head f**k of a film I've ever seen and that's saying something.

I wanted knightly to be as amazing as she was in A Dangerous Method but she felt flat in parts, though brilliant in others. I just never cared for her character. If I had have done then the end would have had a significantly more emotional impact on me, it didn't.

it was very beautifully put together, despite me finding it difficult to deal with - i think that is my issue not the film. it was quite cool to do something different.

I also need to say that I cannot stand Jude Law... so the fact I was at least an hour in before I even remembered he was in the film and he'd been in it a hell of a lot, kind of screamed at me about what a great job he did. Woo Hoo finally a film I can watch with him in it. I thought he was outstanding, really brilliant and I hope he gets nominated for something for it actually and i don't say that very often, about anyone really!

As for a score... 7/10