Starring: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Directed by: Joe Wright
Screenplay by: Tom Stoppard
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy
I've not heard the most wonderful things about the book Anna Karenina. I've heard it's quite long and can be a bit boring. Apparently, these themes were translated quite well into the film version of the story.
It's 19th century Russia, and the main characters all come from a high class in society. So, when the aristocrat, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) falls into an affair with Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), things get ugly for both of them and everyone in their lives. Much respect and love for both of them is lost, and it is truly an affair that shocks the nation.
I find the most interesting thing about this film to be the way in which all of the actors speak. The film takes place in Russia, so theoretically, the actors should be speaking with Russian accents if the film is to be done in English, simply to make it sound a little more authentic, even though audiences already know it's not authentic. So, I find it fascinating that everyone speaks flawless English with British accents in a film that takes place in 19th century Russia. Does anyone other than myself find this to be somewhat strange or ironic? I am rather intrigued by this part of the film's style, but I can't say that I like it all that much.
The staging of the film seems like one major and interactive theater production. It's all a little overdramatic and much of the film feels like it takes place inside of a theater without an audience watching this production. This is evident in the film because there are many shots of what looks like a scene being played out or about to play out on a stage.
Costume design plays a large role in this film as well. The costumes are amazing. They are the most elegant and best designed costumes so far this year.
I expected this film to be a lot better than it is. I'm not fond of the overall directing of the film, but the art direction is incredible. I think the filmmakers focused too much on the art direction and not enough on the overall direction of the film. My recommendation, skip it. The story is hard to follow. It's not very interesting and the film will lose your attention pretty quickly.
I give Anna Karenina a C.
Directed by: Joe Wright
Screenplay by: Tom Stoppard
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy
I've not heard the most wonderful things about the book Anna Karenina. I've heard it's quite long and can be a bit boring. Apparently, these themes were translated quite well into the film version of the story.
It's 19th century Russia, and the main characters all come from a high class in society. So, when the aristocrat, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) falls into an affair with Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), things get ugly for both of them and everyone in their lives. Much respect and love for both of them is lost, and it is truly an affair that shocks the nation.
I find the most interesting thing about this film to be the way in which all of the actors speak. The film takes place in Russia, so theoretically, the actors should be speaking with Russian accents if the film is to be done in English, simply to make it sound a little more authentic, even though audiences already know it's not authentic. So, I find it fascinating that everyone speaks flawless English with British accents in a film that takes place in 19th century Russia. Does anyone other than myself find this to be somewhat strange or ironic? I am rather intrigued by this part of the film's style, but I can't say that I like it all that much.
The staging of the film seems like one major and interactive theater production. It's all a little overdramatic and much of the film feels like it takes place inside of a theater without an audience watching this production. This is evident in the film because there are many shots of what looks like a scene being played out or about to play out on a stage.
Costume design plays a large role in this film as well. The costumes are amazing. They are the most elegant and best designed costumes so far this year.
I expected this film to be a lot better than it is. I'm not fond of the overall directing of the film, but the art direction is incredible. I think the filmmakers focused too much on the art direction and not enough on the overall direction of the film. My recommendation, skip it. The story is hard to follow. It's not very interesting and the film will lose your attention pretty quickly.
I give Anna Karenina a C.
Comments
Post a Comment