Anna Karenina

A new version of Anna Karenina.  This is at least the twelfth film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s novel since 1914 (notably with Greta Garbo in 1927 and Vivien Leigh in 1948).  This one stars Keira Knightley, arguably the most beautiful Anna ever.   She is absolutely stunning, and so is the film.  It’s a visual feast, the sets and costumes magnificent.  This is a highly stylized version, filmed in part as a stage production, with moving sets that shift and change around the actors as they move from one location to another.  This staging, as well as other stylized elements, such as the very unusual and amusing dance sequence, gives the story a welcome lighter touch.  This is, as you would expect from Tolstoy, not a light and fluffy tale, and those seeking a feel-good, happy ending should look elsewhere (I might suggest Silver Lining Playbook for a start).  All of the story that takes place within the confines of Russian high society are filmed on stage, while peasant life on the streets is shot backstage and the scenes in the country on location.  This seems to me to very effectively emphasise the artificiality of high society, which is very much what Tolstoy wanted to portray.  This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea by any means, but I found it very enjoyable.  Knightly is superb, as is Jude Law, but the stand-out performance for me was Matthew Macfadyen as Anna’s brother – a very funny and warm portrayal.