For those unfamiliar with the classic Russian novel or its film adaptations, “Anna Karenina” is one of the most famous tales of love and society’s influences. Anna (Keira Knightley, Joe Wright’s muse and star of three of his films) is married to Count Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin (Jude Law), an older man and respected man of state. Anna is only happy with the love of her cherished son and has never known romantic love until she meets young Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Anna must choose between true love and ostracization if she divorces her husband. Meanwhile, everyone she knows also struggles with love, such as her brother Stiva’s (Matthew Macfadyen) affairs and his friend Konstanin’s (Domhnall Gleeson) innocent perspective on love.
Joe Wright has garnered attention for his extremely artistic films. “Pride & Prejudice,” “Atonement,” and “Hanna” have fantastic setting presence. The films take ownership of their locations which set tone and make the images pop brilliantly. Unlike Wright’s previous work, “Anna Karenina” is mostly depicted like a stage production, so much of the settings are depicted with painted backgrounds and a stage. The disjointed transitions from stage to location interrupt the mood and emotions of the film. Scenes continue as the characters walk backstage, usually a cue for the end of a scene and not a continuation of storytelling. These transitions occasionally become confusing.
Though the style of the merging cinema and stage is off-putting, the art direction and details are striking. Like most period pieces, the costumes are exquisitely beautiful. Anna’s gowns are attention-seeking and bold with lady-like finery and daring. The dinner party sets and indoor shots are incredibly detailed and warm, though the landscape shots are significantly more expressive when actually outdoors.
“Anna Karenina” is an extremely Russian story; it relies on the Russian societal standards of marriage and love. Unfortunately, Wright’s version is very British. The cast is almost entirely British and makes no attempt to pretend they’re not except to dress the parts. Thank goodness for the art directors and costumers that provide the Russian feel.
The style serves no purpose; it’s a spectacle used to separate it from other versions, but that’s not enough to make it worth viewing. I can't believe I'm saying it, but "Anna Karenina" is too artsy.
Rating for “Anna Karenina:” C-
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