Anna Karenina (2012)

[veritas]

In every sense, a euphoric cinematic experience. Positively rapturous.

Just...

[David Giancarlo]

Wait, this is a film criticism? Did you really need a thread for this?

[McTeague]

But Veri, did you cry?

[veritas]

A) Yes, it seemed fitting to start a thread for this after seeing it so that when others do the same they'll have a safe haven to put forth their own opinions. Pardonne-moi.

B) It's 3:41 in the morning at the moment. Do excuse my lack of "proper criticism."

[Thomas]

veritas, is this review a 100 on MC or merely an 95?
Did you write them??

[David Giancarlo]

A) Yes, it seemed fitting to start a thread for this after seeing it so that when others do the same they'll have a safe haven to put forth their own opinions. Pardonne-moi.

B) It's 3:41 in the morning at the moment. Do excuse my lack of "proper criticism."

So why not wait? Or, surely, it wouldn't have been too demanding to add, "In my humble opinion this is a MASTERPIECE in every sense of the word!!!11111 I'm speechless." as per usual?

[OscarsFan 2.3]

To repeat what I said on Sunday:

Visually, it's on par with "Bram Stoker's Dracula" in its use of the aesthetic being just as integral to story advancement as plot and character development. I can definitely see this making a big dent in Production and Costume. Knightley could possibly make it in depending on how weak the competition is this year. Marianelli's score is very lush, but I thought it paled in comparison to his works on "Atonement" and "Jane Eyre." Cinematography was great in places, overworked in others. Overall, I liked it, but not as much as some of his other films.

I'd rank Wright's films:

1. "Atonement"
3. "Pride & Prejudice"
3. "Hanna"
4. "Anna Karenina"
5. "The Soloist"

[Dooby]

To repeat what I said on Sunday:

Visually, it's on par with "Bram Stoker's Dracula" in its use of the aesthetic being just as integral to story advancement as plot and character development. I can definitely see this making a big dent in Production and Costume. Knightley could possibly make it in depending on how weak the competition is this year. Marianelli's score is very lush, but I thought it paled in comparison to his works on "Atonement" and "Jane Eyre." Cinematography was great in places, overworked in others. Overall, I liked it, but not as much as some of his other films.

I'd rank Wright's films:

1. "Atonement"
3. "Pride & Prejudice"
3. "Hanna"
4. "Anna Karenina"
5. "The Soloist"

Why did I always have in mind that you hated Hanna?

[OscarsFan 2.3]

Why did I always have in mind that you hated Hanna?

I didn't hate it. I was just royally annoyed that it kept taking all the Score awards I felt "The Skin I Live In" deserved.

[veritas]

So why not wait? Or, surely, it wouldn't have been too demanding to add, "In my humble opinion this is a MASTERPIECE in every sense of the word!!!11111 I'm speechless." as per usual?

[Vincent Blanchett]

I didn't hate it. I was just royally annoyed that it kept taking all the Score awards I felt "The Skin I Live In" deserved.

I really like The Skin I Live In as well, but Hanna deserve all the score awards it won (maybe not over The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). If you wanna shit on something, please go shit on The Shitist instead

[veritas]

After a few hours of sleep, I wake to find this equally as exquisite as I did immediately after exiting the theatre.

Assumedly, my bias as a dancer lead me to appreciate the unbearably perfect aspects of choreography present throughout the entire piece a bit more than some who might find it distracting or unnecessary. It, coupled with the jaw-dropping set pieces, costumes, photography, was almost too much for me to take it on one viewing alone; essentially like I needed to see the film, be bowled over, and then go again to really "see" it.

Knightley is typically ravishing, though I was particularly taken with Law's portrayal of Karenin. Dually terrifying and heartbreaking. I'd go as far to say it's his best performance ever. Quite easily, in fact.

Everything here is just so daringly, audaciously presented. Very Coppola Marie Antoinette.

I ate it up like candy.

[McTeague]

I still don't know if you wept, veri.

[veritas]

I still don't know if you wept, veri.

[Habsburg]

I can hardly wait until Wednesday!

[veritas]

Habs, you're literally gonna combust. Just wait.

[Habsburg]

[Lawrence of Africa]

In every sense, a euphoric cinematic experience. Positively rapturous.

Just...

Veritas!! I knew you were going to like it bb. A true cinematic experience for I ever did see one.

[Cesky]

I liked this a lot, but this was perhaps the oldest audience I've ever been with, which resulted in a lot of wives explaining things to their husbands, trips to the bathroom, and people getting sandwiches out of tin foil wrapping. Not the ideal experience, in my opinion. It was packed though!

As for the film, I responded well to the theatrical approach but it's certainly jarring towards the beginning. I though Keira, Jude Law, and Vilkander were the acting highlights. I found Aaron Johnson to be fine, actually, just not great. The costumes and sets are absolutely amazing. I may try to fit in a second viewing in the coming weeks when it'll be less crowded.

[erikdean]

This was such a mixed bag for me. So many highs and lows. I adored the the concept of the very theatrical presentation and so wished they had really kept it there. Every time they actually left that theater and went to an actual outside location it felt like cheating. I felt like it needed to commit to one or the other to be successful and since it didn't, it wasn't. As expected, the costuming was impossibly gorgeous. The score, both gentle and wonderfully huge and dramatic. I was impressed and pleased with most of the performances (probably Aaron Taylor-Johnson the least), with Law, MacFaydon and Vikander being the standouts. As far as Knightley goes, there was nothing here that I felt I haven't seen from her before. It was completely plug and play, so disappointing there.