I read Anna Karenina years and years ago. I probably read it before I could actually understand the denseness of Leo Tolstoy’s prose, and as such, I really only remember small fragments of the book. I should go back and re-read it, shouldn’t I? I should. Anyway, after I read it, I somehow managed to avoid all of film and television adaptations, so when I go into to see this new version – directed by Joe Wright, adapted for the screen by Tom Stoppard – the story will be fresh and new to me.
I actually think Joe Wright is a very talented director, one of the rare modern directors who can make a period costume drama feel contemporary and fresh. I loved his film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which also starred Keira Knightley (and earned her an Oscar nomination). Wright and Knightley worked together again in Atonement, a film that I ended up hating. It’s not really Keira’s fault or Joe Wright’s fault – I can’t stand Ian McEwan’s writing. The plots of his books are always asinine.
Anyway, back to Anna Karenina. Keira and Joe Wright reunite for their third film together, and this time it’s a doozy. Keira is Anna. Jude Law plays her husband. Aaron Johnson plays Vronsky, Anna’s lover. The cast also includes Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice!!), Kelly MacDonald, Emily Watson, Ruth Wilson, Olivia Williams and Michelle Dockery (from Downton Abbey!). Here’s the trailer:
Have I mentioned how much I love a good costume drama? I love a good costume drama. I wish Jane Austen had written more books so there could be more film adaptations of her books. I love watching a corseted Englishwoman, staring longingly at someone with unfortunate sideburns, all by candlelight. So… yes, I will be seeing this movie. I think everybody looks good and interesting. From what little I remember of the book, it was my belief that Anna’s husband is much older than Jude Law’s version…? I thought Alexei was supposed to be, like, 50-something? As for Aaron Johnson… well, I have high hopes for that one. He seems passionate and unhinged. Good boy.
Photos courtesy of IMDB.
“In time, every woman in literature and history will have been played by Keira Knightley.”
🙂 cracks me up every single time.
The next one will be Emma Bovary.
Well, she does have a particular talent for period dramas… and yes, at a certain point she’ll have “done all, seen all” in that genre 🙂
Can’t wait for this one; I think I’d actually take my dad to this if it didn’t look a bit too explicit for him. He’s very into period dramas. And movies with horses.
Your dad sounds awesome! 😀
😉
Re-read the book, it is worth it!
With age, comes experience, and a much better grasp of the almost S & M torture with love and hate.
I cannot wait for this movie. It looks really good, and hopefully, Anna’s character would be much more driven than The Duchess’s blandness, at the end. I hope Keira’s play would be given more time to develop a much profound meaning as much as the men’s.
Because the men look AMAZING in this!
I CAN NOT WAIT!
Yaaassssss Maguita. Agree on all points!
🙂
I read the book 1-2 years ago, and it’s really great written, but sometimes just longbreathed and quite boring (I get it that landscape and farmers do something for the atmosphere of the book, but I don’t need to know every single detail 😉 ).
I’m so excited for the film!! Aaron Johnson seems great as Wronsky, can’t wait.
Oh and I HATED Matthew Macfadyen as Darcy, he ruined the film for me. One of the worst casting choices ever!
I agree on the Matthew McFadyen… He was easily replaceable and quite blah.
But in a way, rightly so, because that book was very-much female-driven; And I hate it when they expand on the man’s character in a movie, when it is so not the basis of the story.
AK is renowned not only for Tolstoy’s amazing characterizations but also for his philosophy about agriculture, socio-political issues, etc. It is a bit boring to read, but if you approach it with the idea that he was switching gears away from storytelling and toward lecturing, you will get a better sense of Tolstoy’s reasons for writing the novel.
if this movie is by the same guy that did the Keira Knightly version of Pride & Prejudice, then thanks I know to save my $11.00.
I’m actually really surpised that Kaiser wrote that she loved it. Wow. Okay, gonna pop me some popcorn and watch some Jennifer Ehle & Colin Firth this weekend – you know, the GOOD version of P&P.
@Hazeldazel – differing opinions I guess! I personally enjoyed both versions (and I very much disliked Keira as an actress before my first view). I’m hoping they get an amazing music composer for this version, because Dario Marionelli’s gorgeous music is the extra factor that made Keira’s version my fave.
I think it’s possible to love both adaptations of P&P. Yes, the BBC version is perhaps more faithful and the Ehle/Firth pairing cannot be beaten, but the 2005 version is stunning. The cinematography, costumes and score are amazing. Also, it is a bit more accurate IMHO – the Bennets clothing, demeanor and house are closer to what would have been the norm for their social class. And while he’s no Colin Firth, I have to come to the defense of McFadyen. I thought he was a great Darcy and is seriously under appreciated.
hazeldazel, I’m with you 😉 The Jennifer Ehle/Colin Firth version is the best!
Like I said, I don’t like the version with Keira and Matthew Macfadyen, but you know, they should have switched Jane! I can’t stand the Jane from the BBC film, but the other one is lovely! 🙂
Lyssie89
I think the Bennets in the 2005 adaptation was erroneously portrayed. The Bennets IMO were upper-middle class and wouldn’t look so grubby as in the case of the 2005 film. In this aspect, I think the BBC version was more correct.
@K, love your point of view on the social-economic side of Tolstoy’s at times long-winded ramblings.
Certain books are meant to be read twice in a lifetime. Once during highschool years (broaden the mind a bit on the global literary offerings), and later on, when you have lived a bit.
Not only might you appreciate the prose a bit more, or in certain cases depreciate, but your understanding of relationships in different eras, would draw more emotional sympathy or disdain, when paralleled with your own life experience.
I don’t see Keira as Anna either, but I cannot wait to see if she rises to the challenge, and truly look incomparably mesmerizing and unforgettable!
Agree Maguita! The great Russian novels should be read over and over again. Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Gogol: they’re timeless and captured the human condition like no other authors. This adaption looks amazing!
I had such a hard time grasping, or being patient with Dostoevsky’s ramblings. But all of a sudden, I have a yen for some Crime and Punishment.
Because this f-cking heat is not punishing enough!!!
Hope this movie rocks too 🙂
+million!
Ladies, read Michail Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita”, another Russian masterpiece. Movie looks very promising. The cast is amazing, though I agree with Celebitchy that Jude Law is not old enough to play Anna’s husband.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Master-Margarita-Penguin-Classics/dp/0141180145/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t
^^Exactly my thoughts! Plus..Oh Boy!!!
It seems like Keira is always playing these roles.
Period dramas are her niche and she fills it quite nicely.
You know thr phrase “a jack of all trades and master of none”? Well, it’s the other way round for her. Dodgy at most trades and the grand high master (mistress) of one.
I can’t say I’m much of a fan of hers as I’ve never really seen her play these types of characters (restricted, stoic upper crust noble) differently or uniquely, but I definitely will see this.
And I’m loving Aaron Johnson as a blond 🙂
Then she belongs to the hollywood club of mediocrity, which includes 99% of actors working nowadays.
No, she has played many different roles, some of them in period movies, some of them in contemporary ones, but people are too stupid to bother about that, they only want, or remember to make fun of Keira every time she does a period film.
I’m not saying she hasn’t played different roles, it’s just that it’s rare for her to get a good review for a non-period piece. She got slaughtered on Rotten Tomatoes for London Blvd, but she was very good in the Duchess.
Lou-You’re kidding right? Have you ever seen her imdb? Out of the 20 or so full-length films she’s starred in, 10 of them have been period pieces. Name any other actress who’s body of work is 50% period pieces. It’s fine-it IS her niche but let’s not kid ourselves by pretending that she’s going for diversity with the roles she choses.
@TheOriginalKitten if half of her films are period then it isn’t really something she does more regularly than anything else. I think she just gets more notice for her period films because they’re always big lavish films with major promo while her contemporary movies are usually smaller budget kinds of films.
Anyway, personally I wouldn’t care if she only starred in period films as long as they were enjoyable (I enjoy most of her films) what does the style of clothes and time a film is setting have to do with the abilities of an actor?
Not trying to be rude btw.
TheOiginalKitten
How about KATE WINSLET, for example? nobody ever mocks Winslet for the 10 million period films she has been in. People’s stupidity is just so annoying.
I don’t recall saying it diminished her ability as an actress. I certainly would never call her untalented, just extremely limited in range. She’s not a draw for me to see a movie. This board is about opnions right? This is mine: over-the-top frenzied dramatic performances bore me. Subtlety and a light touch are underrated when it comes to acting. Keira relies on dramatic roles because she doesn’t know how to handle the abstruse and often tenuous qualities that are necessary for a subtle performance. Again, to the KeiraStans-just my opinion. You don’t have to agree-just know that you won’t change my mind.
Eloquently put, Kitten 🙂
You know what I wish? I wish she’d quit doing that oooh thing she does with her lips.
I’m not sold on Keira because she has done so many period films. Costume dramas are great but I cannot distinguish all the period films she’s been in. It’s similar to how I’m starting to feel about Leo. It’s good that he appreciates dramas but even within the drama genre he chooses character roles that are over-the-top depressed and intensely dark. He’s started to feel the same in all his movies and I’m finding it difficult to distinguish all his dark, depressed roles.
bluhare: I know what you mean about the lips. It’s her version of KStew’s the lip-biting thing. So annoying.
Lou,
Kate Winslet used to be referred to as “Corset Kate”, so yes she was made fun of her being in lots of period pieces.
Yes! The lip ooooh think. SO annoying. I know many people love her, but I find her acting irritating. She ruined the “new” P&P for me, sigh.
period dramas are the best roles lbr
and sci-fi but we haven’t had any sci-fi in a while
Fassbender should have been cast as the love interest. I adore Keira in period roles as long as she doesn’t pout and did like her and Matthew in P&P (loved him in Spooks). I will definitely see this.
Definitely seeing this! It looks great.
Keira is the best in playing this kind of roles ,The duchess in one of my favorite movies .
Jude Law certainly has the hairline to play someone older, like Karenin.
He had to shave his hairline back for this. It’s why he wouldn’t take his hat off when he was promoting the last Sherlock movie. That’s your boring fact of the day sorted out. 🙂
Hi ‘glaoming’! I know you from CDAN!
Who cares about his hairline, he’s still hot lol
I read this book when I was fifteen(my grand ma had high hopes for me intellectually. Ha!). I found it a drag. But I watched the movie with the French actress Sophie something in the lead & I liked it. Looking forward to this version
Sophie Marceau!
Can’t wait to compare with Keira’s performance… But that movie with Marceau was such a long time ago, I can’t even remember the impression I had gotten from her performance. Must watch again 🙂 .
Yes you are so wright Sophie was such a beautiful Anna karenina but i am sure that Keira will do a great job playing the role.
i love costume dramas, i love keira. i am hoping that it will get me just as pride and prejudice did. ouuuuu looking forward to it!
^^ ITA!!
Just seeing the costumes and set design will be worth the price for me!
The attention to detail of the costumes reminds me of how old Hollywood use to be with their costumes. Cannot wait!
I like Keira but she’s all wrong to play Anna. From my memory Anna was meant to be voluptuous and vivacious, which is why her company was irresistible to people – Keira is certainly beautiful but she doesn’t have the beautiful glow Anna was described as having. Jude Law was also not well cast. I wish they’d used unknown actors instead!
Perhaps that’s why they call it acting?
It’s not about her acting, it’s mostly about her appearance. She can try to act like Anna but she looks nothing like her!
I thought the same thing. Anna Karenina’s personality is supposed to be almost magnetic, drawing men and women into her sphere. She’s also supposed to be a great beauty, intense, complex but vivacious at the same time. Keira Knightley has the intense part but I don’t know how good she’ll be at the being this “irresistable force” that draws people to her.
You are right CN – she was described as a “polnaya” by Tolstoy, which is a polite version of fat. And he mentioned that she was surprisingly gracious and quick despite being “polnaya” – I refuse to use “fat”. Her prototype is an elder daughter of famous Russian poet Pushkin , Maria. She had a relatively exotic appearance being 1/4 Ethiopian, if i’m not mistaken.
@ ANotherNina-
THAT is the most shocking thing to me. I always remember Anna Korrenina as mixed race/bi-racial right? I admit I have a foggy recollection but..
They couldn’t have this modern version Anna be polnaya….we’re no longer in a time when fat= vitality & wealth.
Viewers would be confused at fat sex objects these days. Just like everyone freaks out about pale skin tones these days, too, when back then—again, a sign of wealth.
I’m not saying it’s right, just that it seems no filmmaker is brave enough to make a more realistic period piece in which a character’s ‘beauty’ is true to the times.
I’m always annoyed at the white, perfect teeth in period films, and how everyone is freshly shampooed. Unrealistic.
Problem is, ahoyhoy, no one wants to watch a bunch of fat, dirty people with bad breath and fleas.
Of course, bluhare, that’s why it’s futile to complain that modern versions of old characters aren’t exactly like the book.
SOME directors do try with the teeth issue, and the hair—sometimes. But a fat romantic heroine in a modern film is very unlikely.
Nope ahoy, it was not my point. Being “polnaya” was – most certainly – not a sign of wealth in Russian aristocracy in the 19th century (seriously – it’s not middle ages, and she did not belong to “kupchestvo” either.) The fact that Anna Karenina belonged to noble class BUT was not skinny AND still considered beautiful is – in my recollection — a rare case in Russian classic. “Kupechestvo” (sort of those who owned their own businesses) and peasants were allowed to be bigger, and even were admired along the lines that “her kid can sit on her breast like on the chair” – “sidit kak na stule rebyonok u neyo na grudi”, meaning the bigger you are, the more valuable you are at hard job. Anyway, I always remembered Anna Karenina as being different in so many ways – starting from her appearance to her love to her fate. And Keira is stereotypical. Kate Winslet circa Titanic would have been perfect. Also I hate Johnson as Vronsky. He was older and he was completely different. Ugh. Karenina was may be 25, she might have gained weight after having a kid – that part I haven’t thought through when I was 15. I need to re-read too. They mostly focused on Levin’s philosophy when we study it at school.
@ kitten I tend to think Pushkin was one of the very few bi-racial people in the Russian noble society. His grandfather (or great-grandfather) was a sort of “toy” (sorry, this is how he was referred to in Russian textbooks) for tzar Peter I, (I don’t remember the circumstances why they brought the kid in from Ethiopia). They became very close friends with the tzar eventually. Pushkin was tiny – 5’1″, was an extreme womanizer and was married to one of the most beautiful women of his time – Natalia Goncharova- wiki has one of my favorite portraits of her at the top. That’s Anna Karenina prototype mother…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalia_Pushkina
That’s the portrait of Anna Karenina’s prototype – Maria Pushkina-Hartung. But keep in mind that Tolstoy met her during the ball in Tula years later. She did not inherit her mother’s famous beauty but instead had tons of her father’s charm…
http://russkayaliteratura.tumblr.com/post/11444944655/maria-pushkina-hartung-pushkins-daughter-and
I once had a Russian boyfriend and he gave me a lot of incite into Tolstoy’s novels. He said Anna was definitely a mixed race and translates as her being ‘plump’. Probably around a size 10-12, which would have been large for the time. We loose so much in the translation.
i never imagined Keira Knightly as Anna Karenina. IMO she doesnt give off the charm and subtle vanity Anna has. But Aaron looks AMAZING as Vronsky. Somebody let me know how it sounds. My sound chip doesnt work at my job compute lol. And although I imagined Alexei to be darker than Jude Law, i think he will be wonderful. I think he can blend vulnerable masochist very well
See, I actually dislike this guy as Vronsky. I just read the book in January to prepare for the film. This Vronsky comes across as so… Childish. Like a teenage boy. The book was always going on about his military demeanor but the trailer had none of it. Hoping I will be pleasantly surprised.
I agree. When I read the book my cast of characters I imagined Marion Cotillard as Anna, she exudes the confidence, mysteriousness and seductiveness of her character. I could imagine Keira playing Kitty, she has a youthful innocent quality.
Another thing I wanted to pint out after watching the trailer is the fact that even though the title of the bok is Anna Karenina, I did not feel that she was the main character of the story at all. The main character for me was Levin, and this movie looks like it will completely overview his story.
She better not pout her way through this movie. I really want to see it, but just like KStew’s casting in the Snow White movie kept me alway from watching it until it’s on Netflix, Keira is making me second guess seeing this.
No, I’m not saying that she’s as bad an actress as KStew, IMHO she’s just not cut out for period pieces. She never does anything different with the characters she had played in the ones I’ve seen. I think because Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham Carter are to old to play these parts they just go to her. Plus, I personally think that her face is far too modern and lacks the timelessness that actors in these films should have.
Now that i think about it Kate would have been perfect. When she isnt super thin she has the body i imagine Anna does. Also, Anna was much older than Keira’s version anyway
Anna had a vulnerability typical of her era and social class which could be difficult for Winslet to portray convincingly.
Didn’t anyone like “Bend It Like Beckett” or, for a very different role, “Domino”? Keira got lots of critical praise for that role as Laurence Harvey’s real-life daughter, an addicted bounty hunter who played rough.
Wow! That movie looks really really good!
Omg the music gave me goosebumps!
why can’t she close her mouth?
That’s her ‘I’m in character’ face.
Total mouth breather. And she’ll get an Oscar nom for it.
I’ve been waiting for this for so long!!! I have a feeling that this will be the third career defining film for Keira so far (not including Pirates franchise) after “Pride and Prejudice” (which I love) and “Atonement” (which I enjoyed).
I’ve always been interested in Imperial Russian history, the costumes and palaces etc and this film looks magical, the scene by the train in the snow was beautiful.
I am so happy to read that you hated Atonement as well. A lot of my friends were telling me you should the read the book so I did. I do not think Briony Tallis is a very well developed character, and the romance between Cecilia and Robbie is one of the most unpassionate in fiction. The plot is very forced. I watched the movie and although the scenery and actors are all very beautiful, I could not finish it. I spent a good half hour going over in my head, “Who is playing Paul. I have seen him somewhere. I know this actor. Who is he?” Once I could call his name I completely lost interest in the movie.
I thought I was alone here. I hated that movie even though it’s the type of movie I usually like.
ZZZZZZZZ….maybe a rental. MAYBE.
EDIT: Joe Wright is directing????
Ok, might do a matinee on this one. Maybe I can just block Keira out of the movie with my hand or something…
I cant wait to to see this, I love Keira and I am a huge Aaron Johnson fan. I loved him in Albert Nobbs his range is fantastic!!
Oh, I loved “Albert Nobbs”! Glenn Close lost her sixth Oscar nom in that role—and was robbed, IMO.
Totally worth a pay-per-view…..The movie just broke my heart.
I’m reading it now and I’ve been reading it for over a year- in between other books. I’m very excited, I love the classics!
I have not read the book. I read the first page when I was younger on a “I’m going to read classics” rampage and I gave up. I think I’ll wait to watch this movie, WHICH LOOKS AWESOME, and give it another go.
I’ve been waiting for the trailer since i realized the wright/knightley/macfayden group was getting together again. But with Jude Law and Michelle Dockery–It’s going to be great!
I love period films. Give me P&P or Downton Abbey or any of the other recent ones (The Duchess) and I am one happy girl. It will be great to see one in Russia–I don’t think I’ve seen a period film set in Russia. Anastasia doesn’t count. 🙂
Oooh Emily Watson!! I couldn’t see her in the trailer 🙁 But she is great! I loved her in Hilary and Jackie + Appropriate Adult! I can’t wait for this the cast seems great!
Oh, I CANNOT TELL YOU how much I can’t stand the fact that Keira Knightley is playing Anna Karenina. UGH. I think I’m developing a rash just thinking about it. She will be fish-lipping her way through this movie and just absolutely ruining everything. The book is beautiful and moving (definitely worth a second read). The best film adaptation starred Sophie Marceau. For the love of all gods, see that one instead.
I had a very HARD time listening to her in “A Dangerous Method” with Fassy! I didn’t even play the trailer but I will be passing this one up.
I’m loving Jude Law in this. Can’t wait to see it!
Aaron Johnson is someone that probably could have made/could in the future make it bigger if he wasn’t already married at the age of 22(?) to a woman almost twice his age with two kids. It’s sad but for young actors/actresses, the image of availability needs to be there for mainstream success at the beginning
I respectfully disagree Mia.
Gone are the days where the same fan manipulations for popularity are as successful as in the past. The game has changed. So have our discerning expectations from stars.
Today, we are open to salivate after a much-taken man, understanding the difference between fantasy and reality.
And we are very much open to salivate after an openly GAY man, who plays womanizing cads to perfection. Again, understanding the drawn line between fantasy and reality.
Cases in point: Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, ALL Avengers dudes, et cetera.
As for Aaron, if I understand his rise to stardom, he owes much of it to his much-older Director partner for putting him on the map, and taking a chance on him. On screen, and in real life.
Do I believe they will last?
Does anything nowadays?
But I’m quite certain, the trip would be worth it either way!
Hmm those are good points, didn’t think about the shifting expectations. I guess my point might be now limited to idol-types or younger people like Justin Bieber or those One Direction type people.
On a side note, why did they not dye Aaron’s eyebrows to match his hair? Those brows don’t look light enough brown
Aaah, you’re talking about the “teeny-boppers” club! That, I definitely agree with you: It could ruin a career if one of them dared to have a serious gf, let alone get married with kids before the age of 30!
Exceptionally, Bieber. He has Selena Gomez, and it didn’t seem to falter his career one bit. I guess you could still play the old games, expecting some kind of positive outcome. Or if you truly have the IT factor, you would simply live your life the way you intend to.
You also have some Disney boys who adhered to the Teeny-bopper prgram: Zac Effron and the likes.
I believe though that Aaron Johnson aspires to take on more challenging roles than Highschool Musicals. And his state of availability is a non issue… Or oddly in his case, it worked in his favor, and brought him more attention!
As for the eyebrows, we’ll see how they’d look in the movie… I’m not a fan of that orangey blond hair either.
“I love watching a corseted Englishwoman, staring longingly at someone with unfortunate sideburns, all by candlelight.” Exactly. Exactly exactly exactly. Thanks for putting so fine a point on it Kaiser!
It seems to be just an adaptation of Titanic without the big boat.
Just kidding.
I really love the effort put into movies like these with the epic settings, costumes, and panaramic scenary.
There’s much more dedication to “character intensity” than a Jennifer Aniston movie.
btw-I fine Keira to be incrediblly beautiful, fit for the screen and an intriging feminine mystique to match.
I agree with everything you said Kaiser. Can’t wait to see this movie. I read it over 10 years ago after college trying to educate myself and read all the classics I should have read in high school and college. If you want to improve your vocabulary read russian literature (in English of course). I was really into Russian lit for awhile, they can be very depressing people though. I also agree with Lainey’s review, and this was my feeling before I read hers, there was something missing with Knightly, and I wonder if it is the same thing Lainey said that she has done so many period pieces that she has to work harder to bring it. Still love her though and agree with Rita above Keira has the special mystique and beauty she brings to the screen that she is compelling no matter what.
She can star in ALL the costume dramas in the world, but she still can’t close her dang mouth. Bleh.
I’ll see this in spite of Keira, not because of her (just like her version of P&P).
LOLZ – I was thinking the very same thing – she has the same open mouthed expression in every still. I’ve never seen her pose with her mouth closed. What is the deal with that?
Does anyone else have the pet peeve of watching costume dramas and seeing a character with obviously dyed hair? I hate it. Aaron Johnston’s hair looks like mine when I’m broke and have to get my dye at Walgreens.
LMAO!!!
You mean like that Twilight Jackson dude… Which just typing this, made me realize that Johnson’s character here, looks a bit like the Jasper character!!!
Hope CGI will work magic on dark roots.
*another snort/chuckle on your WalgreenS’ hair-dye job LMAO!!!*
He’s testing out the copper hair for his next role: fifty shades of grey…fingers crossed!
Aaron Johnson as Vronsky has “Twilight” hair. Specifically he has Jasper hair. Ugh.
Keira is beautiful. As always.
Kaiser, please tell me you’ve seen Orlando. Tilda + costumes+ period changes. O.M.G.
You liked that P&P? Am I the only one who hated it?! There were parts, parts, of that P&P that I loved and the rest made me stabby, like capital STABBY! I liked Atonement so much more.
This looks good, I have to re-read this. I love me some period drama too.
No, I hated it too. Glad I’m not alone either 🙂
I saw the preview screening of this movie four days ago in London. I loved it, not just because it was free. It was beautiful, a departure from Joe Wright’s usual style- very baroque, a little zany. It’s like the lovechild of Moulin Rouge and My Fair Lady style- wise.
The acting was mostly fantastic. Few of the characters were how I’d pictured them when I read the book, but I grew fond of them soon. Surprising to discover Matthew McFayden’s comic streak; Jude Law, unvarnished, was fantastic; Aaron Johnson is always brilliant; Emily Watson was handled every emotion very well. The lovely Keira, whilst I can’t fault her technique, has played this role time and time again. Towards the second half, I felt like I had seen it before. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable experience.
I guess what I’m saying is give this a chance.
Thanks for the review!
I love these kinds of movies too and will probably buy a copy when it comes out on DVD. I recently watched the Vivian Leigh version, and she is of course stunningly beautiful. I like to buy copies of all versions of these kinds of movies and watch them in order made. Its fun to see the way different directors and actors/actresses portray them.
I own every copy of all of the movies made from Jane Austen’s books, and I absolutely love watching them in order. Sometimes it takes all weekend, but I enjoy it so very much! P&P is my favorite; from the Greer Garson version to the Kiera Knightly version. I thought Darcy was great in that one but I thought her “your hands are cold” line at the end was lame. But my favorite is the Colin Firth version. LOVE HIM. Same with Sense & Sensibility; love watching all the different versions together. Although the BBC versions are quite long but they are closest to the books and details of the time so they are well worth it. Also they have actors that look “real” not too beautiful, so it seems more realistic.
I was surprised at how many versions there are of Jane Eyre. I own at least 9 copies of that one. There is one version where Elizabeth Taylor plays Rochester’s “ward” and she is not even credited! My favorite version is the one with Timothy Dalton, and I was quite surprised that it was because I wasn’t expecting much from him. The worst is the George C. Scott version. You would be amazed at some of the actors that are in some of them. Its very nostalgic for this “old” woman.
This post makes me want to pop one in the DVD player now! LOL.
I ADORE Karenina. adore. my language is also slavic, so the book sounds almost equally beautiful as in russian, and I really do think Tolstoj is one of the greatest writers, ever!
my bf and I once (in high school)almost ended in a fight bc some girl kept saying Ana is amoral.
No relism like russian realism. ah…..
also, never saw any adaptation, but Johnson as Vronski? mmmmmmm….
What is even the point of so much attention to detail of that period when you have the Russian characters speaking English in posh British accents.
So silly and unauthentic.
Why doesn’t she ever close her mouth? She’s a Kristin Stewartesque mouth breather. Drives me nuts.
I’m so jealous of Kiera getting to be made out with and fondled* by those two hunks. (*I’m assuming anyway. I’ve not read the book, nor seen the trailer. Just being able to stand really close and face to face with these two guys sounds AWESOME to me!)
Keira is adorable and I love pretty much everything she does. What a great role for her.
Actually, Vivien Leigh’s performance in 1948 is excellent. Ralph Richardson played her husband as one would expect. The 2000 series with Helen McCrory was also wonderful.
I have these, as well as Greta Garbo’s version – which is okay. So, I will look forward to seeing how this one compares. Who knows – may be pleasantly surprised. I just hope they don’t tweak the storyline as they did with P&P – that ending was ridiculous.
I will see this as it is one of my favorite books but the choices are not great. Keira is good at certain period roles but as others have said she does not have the combination of wisdom and vivacity required for Anna, nor does she have the right beauty or figure. Jude Law looks better than I expected but Aaron Johnson is so wrong for this. It calls for a tall dark handsome man, who is kind and powerful and vain all in one. It’s really critical to the success of the story to have the right Vronsky. He’s not supposed to be unhinged at all — almost misses the point of the book.
Keira is beautiful and probably very good in the role. But do check out the Greta Garbo and Vivien Leigh versions of “Anna Karenina” as well.
Keira + period drama….Love it!
I’m sorry but I couldn’t have hated his version of Pride and Prejudice more. It was by far the stupidest version I’ve seen so I’ll be avoiding this like the plague. I haven’t seen Atonment so maybe if that is good I’d give this a chance but based on Pride and Prejudice I’m gonna pass on this one.
i found it to be ridiculous as well. turned it off after 1/2 an hour.
in no way does keira knightley have the weight (figuratively and literally) to be playing this part.
will be avoiding at all costs.
Tom Stoppard is the best thing about this film!
TOM STOPPARD!!! F**K YES!
Fav actress + fav book = ♥
But ANOTHER movie where Kiera Knightly and Matthew Macfayden DON’T KISS?! AARGH! 😉
I always imagined Levin as David Thewlis, I actually only hate the casting of that character, I think everyone else did great.
Although I’m still undecided about Kitty, I thought Alison Brie could have played her, I thought she was brunette?
i love both pride and prej and atonn.. i’m sure they’ll do their best to earn more oscar nods. i’m not really sure how much i love this story though. i’ve tried to watch other versions on a couple of occasions and always ended up bored with the storyline.
Just wanted to say..the reason she does that thing with her lips is because she has a small-ish mouth and a shit-ton of teeth in there. I don’t think she can close her mouth without doing that. And I say that as someone who LOVES her. Literally, I’ve seen all her movies at least twice and I think she’s gorgeous.
I agree it’s annoying, but I don’t think it’s done on purpose.
I agree with you, Kaiser, about P&P (I loved it!) and Atonement (simply awful). I’ll give this version of Anna Karenina a whirl though when it comes out.
Wow! I had no idea that Keira Knightley was so hated. And all because she became famous before the age of 20.
By the way, the Bennets in “PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” were members of the landed gentry aka the upper classes.