"Anna Karenina" (2012) Movie Review: A Visually Stunning, Theatrical Adaptation of Tolstoy’s Timeless Tragedy

Anna Karenina (2012), directed by Joe Wright, is a visually captivating and highly stylized adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's iconic novel. The film's unique approach to storytelling blends traditional drama with theatrical elements, offering a fresh and artistic interpretation of the classic tale of love, betrayal, and social constraints. With a screenplay adapted by Tom Stoppard, the film brings to life the complex relationships and moral dilemmas of 19th-century Russian aristocracy, with a particular focus on the tragic love affair between Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) and Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).

Plot Overview

The film follows the story of Anna Karenina, a beautiful and passionate woman trapped in a loveless marriage to the powerful government official Karenin (Jude Law). Anna's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets the handsome and charismatic Count Alexei Vronsky, and the two embark on a passionate affair that scandalizes Russian society. As Anna’s relationship with Vronsky deepens, her status in society unravels, and she is forced to face the consequences of her choices. Torn between her love for Vronsky and her societal obligations, Anna’s life spirals toward a tragic and inevitable end.

The film also explores the parallel story of Konstantin Levin (Domhnall Gleeson), a landowner who struggles to win the love of the woman he desires, Kitty (Alicia Vikander). Their story serves as a contrast to Anna's doomed affair, reflecting themes of love, loyalty, and personal fulfillment in the face of societal expectations.

Themes of Love, Betrayal, and Social Expectations

Anna Karenina delves deeply into the themes of love, social convention, and the consequences of personal choices. At its heart, the story is a meditation on the conflict between passion and duty. Anna’s affair with Vronsky is both a passionate escape and a rebellion against the rigid societal expectations placed upon her. Her emotional and personal struggle highlights the tension between individual desires and the constraints of social norms, particularly in the aristocratic world of 19th-century Russia.

The film also addresses the theme of betrayal—not only in Anna’s relationship with her husband, Karenin, but also in her betrayal of the societal structures that defined her life. Her affair leads to public disgrace, and she is ostracized, not only by her peers but also by her own inner conscience. Her tragic downfall underscores the cost of defying the expectations of a society that values reputation above personal happiness.

In contrast, Levin’s love for Kitty represents a more grounded and fulfilling kind of relationship. While Anna’s love affair is full of intensity and drama, Levin’s relationship with Kitty is built on mutual respect, understanding, and emotional growth. The juxtaposition of the two relationships is a key element in the film, demonstrating the different ways in which love can manifest and the consequences each brings.

Visuals and Cinematic Style

One of the most striking features of Anna Karenina is its bold, unconventional visual style. Joe Wright, known for his visually imaginative films such as Atonement (2007), employs a unique theatrical aesthetic that brings a sense of artistry and symbolism to the film. The narrative unfolds on a literal stage, where characters move through elaborate sets that resemble a constantly shifting theater production. The film often transitions between different rooms and scenes without traditional cuts, using the set as a fluid, moving environment. This innovative use of space and time adds a dreamlike quality to the storytelling, creating an immersive and visually captivating experience.

The film's design—by designer Sarah Greenwood and costumer Jacqueline Durran—is equally striking, with rich period costumes that highlight the contrasts between the rigid, structured world of Russian aristocracy and the wild passion of Anna’s affair with Vronsky. The vibrant, sometimes exaggerated color palettes evoke the heightened emotional states of the characters, while the minimalist use of sets and props reinforces the feeling of a constructed reality. The blending of theatrical elements with traditional cinematic techniques creates a unique viewing experience that is both visually arresting and emotionally engaging.

Performances

Keira Knightley delivers a powerful performance as Anna Karenina, capturing both the character’s beauty and tragic vulnerability. Knightley brings a mixture of elegance and raw emotion to the role, making Anna's internal struggle between love, desire, and social duty palpable. Her portrayal of Anna’s spiraling descent into isolation and despair is compelling, and she successfully conveys the complexity of a woman torn between two worlds.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the dashing and reckless Vronsky with a sense of charm and passion, bringing a sense of both excitement and danger to the role. While his character is often seen as an agent of Anna’s destruction, Taylor-Johnson’s portrayal adds depth to Vronsky’s love and obsession with Anna. Jude Law, as Karenin, gives a restrained and poignant performance as the dutiful husband who is both devastated and coldly composed in the face of his wife’s betrayal. His character’s emotional complexity adds another layer of depth to the story, showing the pain of unrequited love and the stoic facade that hides deep inner turmoil.

Domhnall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander also shine in their roles as Levin and Kitty, providing a refreshing contrast to the tragic intensity of Anna’s relationship. Their performances embody a more grounded and realistic portrayal of love, and their story offers a hopeful counterpoint to Anna’s emotional unraveling.

Direction and Cinematic Execution

Joe Wright’s direction is both visually innovative and emotionally powerful. His ability to balance the theatrical elements with the intimate emotional moments of the characters is a testament to his skill as a filmmaker. The decision to set much of the film in an artificial, almost stage-like environment gives it a timeless, dreamlike quality, while also underscoring the sense of constraint and artificiality that comes with the Russian aristocracy’s rigid social structure.

The film’s pacing, while slow and methodical, allows for a deep exploration of its characters’ inner worlds. Wright takes his time with each emotional beat, letting the gravity of Anna’s decisions and their consequences unfold gradually. This approach ensures that when the inevitable tragedy arrives, it has emotional weight and resonance.

Final Thoughts

Anna Karenina (2012) is a visually stunning and emotionally profound adaptation of one of literature’s most famous tragedies. With its bold, theatrical style, it reinvents the classic story in a way that is both visually engaging and emotionally complex. The performances, especially by Keira Knightley, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Jude Law, are exceptional, adding layers of depth to the characters and their emotional journeys.

While the film’s unconventional visual approach might not appeal to everyone, it offers a unique and refreshing interpretation of Tolstoy’s timeless story. Anna Karenina explores universal themes of love, betrayal, and the constraints of societal expectations, making it a powerful, evocative film that resonates with audiences both familiar with the novel and new to the story. Its tragic beauty and artistic ambition make it a standout adaptation of a literary classic.