It was never an easy task bringing Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina to the big screen. The partnership of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley and acclaimed director Joe Wright was about as safe a bet as one could get considering their past success. But even their combined forces come up short as the film fails to ignite much interest, instead getting overly bogged down in the details, suffocating the viewer as it slowly works through its tragic story of love, loss, and self doubt.
Keira Knightley, who might as well be officially typecast as the lead in any film derived from a classic piece of literature (regardless of time, region, or age), does well as Tolstoy's main protagonist. Though her physical attributes don't bode as well here as they have in films past, she works the emotional angle of Anna well, giving audiences a glimpse into the soul of a women, far ahead of her time and thus, restricted by custom.
But the true highlight of the film was the creative way that Wright performed the scene changes, presenting the story as if it were being performed on a stage, giving viewers a truly unique experience as they sit in the audience and witness the spectacle. The switches were subtle and so cleverly integrated that you can't help but appreciate the entire set up.
I was a bit disappointed with Jude Law's involvement, especially during the film's later stages. His scenes rarely showcased his depth, instead opting to play things safe and keep all interested parties focused on Knightley. Aaron Johnson saw the same fate as Anna's suitor Vronsky, though it should be noted that the talent gap between the two lovers was a bit board, ultimately affecting their on-screen chemistry.
In the end, Anna Karenina proved to be a film whose individual parts far outshine that of its collective consumption. There is simply no better way to put it. Each part was right on target, but when put together, the pieces just barely don't fit.
