Anna Karenina

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Tyler

Never knew the Anna Karenina story, but I picked up the basics from the trailer before going in. Due to budget constraints, Joe Wright goes the slightly experimental route with Tom Stoppard's adaptation and sets the whole story inside a theatre, using the rafters, the lobby, the stage and the stalls dressed up as the various locations, only venturing outside into the real world when we leave the aristocracy and see life in the countryside.

The first half really foregrounds this conceit, with Wright's usual one-take stedicam shot found very early one whiles scenes transition from place to another through the action and dialogue. There are some very stylised acting and choreography and the beautiful score by Dario Marianelli is also woven into the action as well.

Slowly though this energetic and fanciful staging recedes and the focus becomes the story and the relationships. And after such an exciting opening it also feels like it starts to drag, particularly towards the end. It felt a lot longer than it actually was.

I did enjoy the performances though and one can't help but marvel at the cinematography, even when things like slightly misaligned anamorphic lenses and focus issues get in the way. The story comes through and Stoppard has made a strong emphasis on all the different kinds of love on display. Having not read the book or seen any other adaptations, I can't tell you what was shortchanged or left out, but it felt pretty complete to me. I didn't enjoy this as much as Pride and Prejudice but it was still very engaging for material that would usually make me run for the nearest action film. More than anything it makes me want to see a fully fledged musical from Joe Wright, he obviously has it in him.