From director Joe Wright (Golden Globe nominee for “Atonement”) comes a new version of the classic Leo Tolstoy novel, which just may be the go-to adaptation. With past performances by Greta Garbo, Vivien Leigh, and Jacqueline Bisset in the title role – Keira Knightley stars in this version along with other British actors. Included in the cast are Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Matthew Macfadyen, Olivia Williams, Emily Watson, and Scotland born Kelly Macdonald (“Boardwalk Empire”).
Taking place in Russia’s late-19th-century high society, aristocrat Anna Karenina returns home only to put her social standing and marriage in jeopardy when she begins an affair with the extremely wealthy Count Vronsky (Taylor-Johnson). Adapted by Oscar winning screenwriter Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”), the film is full of moralistic intrigue which are sometimes religiously based. It is a classic tale of love and betrayal that is ready to be seen by a new generation of audiences.
Aided with the phenomenal set decoration, costume design, and score – one thing that really stands out is the way in which it is shot. It is like a glamourous play, where sets actually move in place for action to happen – where the camera can go all the way around a room to show a ton of activity and reach a certain point for a new scene. It really is a visual masterpiece that deserves to be seen to be believed, Joe Wright has proven himself to be an A-list filmmaker and with this one he has solidified that position.
“Anna Karenina” is now playing in select theaters.
