Review of Anna Karenina (2012) by Emma D — 13 Feb 2013

A film that shouldn't work but does! Mainly set on stage, Joe Wright takes the audience through all the twists and turns, loves and losses of Leo Tolstoy's ground-breaking novel. I especially enjoyed Matthew Macfadyen's performance who is immensely likeable despite his many character flaws.

Although Knightley and Taylor-Johnson wouldn't exactly be my first choices to play Anna Karenina & Count Vronksy, they play a good part and are able to carry the performance. What I especially liked is that they focused the same amount of attention on the other love stories entwined in the novel - you'll find it hard to find someone who isn't warmed by the love between Levin and Kitty! Although not exactly what I wanted from an adaptation of one of my favourite novels, it is difficult not to be won over.

The cinematography is also incredible!