Anna Karenina (2012)

[Elessar]

After seeing it yesterday, I'm surprised the theater stage concept is going over poorly for so many. I loved it, and found it didn't take any getting used to. I was just sucked in immediately. It wasn't distracting from the story either, although I should admit that I haven't read the book (I know, shame on me). I thought all the actors were superb (Matthew MacFadyen was such a wonderful ham in this ), and I'm shocked that the film apparently isn't going to get that much awards attention.

I still have to see Les Miserables, Django, & The Hobbit - obviously - but, as of now, this is definitely my favorite film of the year.

[camille]

So glad that others are enjoying the beauty and craft of this film. I mean those costumes were worth the ticket price alone...

Also glad that it seems to be doing good BO in the States...

[lazarus]

I went into this with little bias, as I've enjoyed all of Wright's films I've seen (which doesn't include The Soloist) to various degrees, and I'm neither enraptured nor bothered by Knightley.

I find myself agreeing with previous comments about its shortcomings, but there was way more that I liked here than what I didn't like. I'm really, really impressed by Wright's orchestrating of this whole thing; it's a bit of a marvel. Some feel he wrung all the passion out of it, which I can't sign off on. While the main love story admittedly didn't do much for me emotionally, there is a clear tenderness and heart found in Levin's story and not just in the beautiful scenes with Kitty, and this certainly isn't the actors managing to break through Wright's stranglehold or something. Wright must be given credit. I hate to damn Knightley with faint praise, but she just didn't surprise me here at all, even though I can't point to anything she did wrong. Can't even say she carries the film because of the importance of the subplots.

Macfadyen really breathed some life into this thing from the beginning. I don't know if it would have been bearable without his gusto. Otherwise very impressed with Gleeson and Vikander, and I'm so glad Jude Law is getting Best In Show nods from many of you because I've been a longtime supporter of his work.

However successful Les Miserables turns out to be in its various elements, it's a shame that Wright's visual triumph will likely be overlooked during awards season in favor of Hooper's artless approach.

[haqyunus]

I concur with all the Jude Law-love. In fact I wanted more of him as he came off as more real, palpable to me as well.

[forizzer69]

All of these beautiful, artistic films with nothing to say wither my cinematic soul. That said, Jude Law was outstanding in this. Wright's direction was detrimental to understanding the characters and their feelings of the time, but Law possessed true gravity in his part, and kept my attention every second he was on screen, despite any flourishes or actor-unfriendly decisions Wright made within the framework. Knightley was also at her best with her wild, sprawling interpretation of Anna Karenina, but then there isn't much introspection given to her character, so had there been, perhaps her take on the part would have been misjudged. Macfayden is hilarious as Paul Giamatti's lost brother and Vikander does some good delicate acting that I might nominate out of disdain for the category. I still don't understand why her story with Gleeson was so focal. So boring! The juxtaposition was not interesting.

I've always wanted to see one of those Metropolitan Opera shows at the cinema, but now I think I'm good; this has fulfilled that. The moving set pieces and the operatic way of presenting some scenes put me in the theatre, and for that I am grateful. Still, I could have left the film feeling something more. Certainly.

[kitkat]

This was a real mixed bag. Great performances from Jude, Matthew and Alicia especially. Keira was okay but kind of average. Aaron Johnson was not good. I will say I think this movie would've been far more successful had there been any chemistry between the two lead characters. Instead I found their story dull and was mostly rolling my eyes at their "love" scenes. The Kitty/Levin story was nice though.

I actually liked the sound stage idea but I kind of wished the movie kept it up more in the second half. It kinda felt like they abandoned that as the movie went on and started shifting more and more to real sets.

Love the score and costumes, and it's honestly a pretty good adapted screenplay too. It just missed in a few places in terms of execution and casting.

[ewdot2480]

Sheesh, I thought this was wonderful. Surprised by the heft of negative comments.

Then again, I knew nothing about Anna Karenina going in. That probably helps with my opinion.

And I also thought Knightley was incredible. But then, I often find her underrated. She just has IT. You look at her and she's got that movie presence. And I also thought she imbued Anna (who is a selfish neurotic) with just enough vulnerability/damage that I felt pity for her in the end.

Today, few people would have batted an eye over her indiscretions.

[camille]

Sheesh, I thought this was wonderful. Surprised by the heft of negative comments.

Then again, I knew nothing about Anna Karenina going in. That probably helps with my opinion.

And I also thought Knightley was incredible. But then, I often find her underrated. She just has IT. You look at her and she's got that movie presence. And I also thought she imbued Anna (who is a selfish neurotic) with just enough vulnerability/damage that I felt pity for her in the end.

Today, few people would have batted an eye over her indiscretions.

Don't worry, it's a bit of an AD thing. I thought this was an undeniable star-turn from Keira. Pure old Hollywood glamour and melodrama....

[ewdot2480]

Thanks, Camille

[russen18]

having seen this again just this past weekend, its very refreshing to catch on things you didnt notice before. I loved the opening overture with the two siblings getting dressed, its sorta resembled the two leads in Dangerous Liasions getting dressed, but this one is more in tune with the novel and what Wright was trying to say. We see Oblonsky getting shaved, and dressed, and Anna getting dressed reading his letter. Its very important to know that both siblings are adulterers, but we as an audience will forgive Oblonsky, but hate Anna for it. I loved that Wright opened the film with that little sequence.

Also notice the last shot of Karenin and his son, along with Anna's daughter shows him in the field enjoying their company, and content with his lot...or is he? Notice that when Wright decides to do a long shot we see them still in the theater setting. Is Karenin doing this just for public sake? Or is he truly at peace and turned his back on St. Petersberg society, but is still playing a role. I liked that the ending leaves you with that.

I loved that last shot. It reminded me of something Kubrick might have done.

I still cant get over this film. Everything is more beautiful a second time around. Please do see it again, and just get swept up in it.

[Timmer]

You guys are all loving this so much, but it seems like outside of maybe Keira thre is no hope for acting noms? Can any of you see anything happening for Law or Vikander? Or is this destined to be disregarded by the Academy as "another costume drama to nominate for costumes and that's it"?

[russen18]

its more of a tech film if you ask me. Granted I loved the hell out of it, and Knightley, Law and Vikander and most importantly Gleeson are truly the stars of the show. Keira can happen if the ampas warm up to it, but I dont think it will. But hey who knows. I mean she is making the rounds, got nominated for a satellite (I mean I know that hardly shows or proves anything) but if she continues to make the actress lineups in critics awards, or hell award show nominees, it could happen, but it is like really pushing it.

For this I can see Oscar noms for

Costume
Production Design
Score
Cinematography

with wins in Costume and possibly score. Production design should go to this, cause Les Miserables looks well, yah uhmm not that great. But Costumes is its best bet.

[Dooby]

its more of a tech film if you ask me. Granted I loved the hell out of it, and Knightley, Law and Vikander and most importantly Gleeson are truly the stars of the show. Keira can happen if the ampas warm up to it, but I dont think it will. But hey who knows. I mean she is making the rounds, got nominated for a satellite (I mean I know that hardly shows or proves anything) but if she continues to make the actress lineups in critics awards, or hell award show nominees, it could happen, but it is like really pushing it.

For this I can see Oscar noms for

Costume
Production Design
Score
Cinematography

with wins in Costume and possibly score. Production design should go to this, cause Les Miserables looks well, yah uhmm not that great. But Costumes is its best bet.

Well, as deliciously hilarious as The Satellites are, they generally nominate at least 80% of the final Oscar line-up. They go for the typical Oscar bait as much as BFCA do. If you take out the ones with no chance aka, Laura Linney, Laura Birn, Emilie Dequennce you're left with:

Jessica Chastain
Keira Knightley
Jennifer Lawrence
Emmanuelle Riva

and mind you she also got in a drastically less sprawling field then last year. She might end up as the default nominee of this year - I think a good indicator will be if she gets BFCA.

[russen18]

and what with Rust and Bone and Hitchcock failing to impress, she could get in, but again its an uphill battle. I do like that she is actually making the rounds and promoting the film, and the film is really doing well, and having great PTA. I think once it expands more, it will definitley do even better business, but if not, the business its doing is still really good.

[Atonenent.]

and what with Rust and Bone and Hitchcock failing to impress, she could get in, but again its an uphill battle. I do like that she is actually making the rounds and promoting the film, and the film is really doing well, and having great PTA. I think once it expands more, it will definitley do even better business, but if not, the business its doing is still really good.

Agreed. I'm waiting to see if it continues to do well, but BO is quite good so far and she's peaking at the right time, I think, since now is when BFCA, GG and SAG vote, and she's campaigning plus the film's in theatres. I still wouldn't predict her outside the Globes, but I'm getting less and less confident in Cotillard, Riva and Mirren, so there may be space for Keira yet. Probably not, but hey, I'll make do with a GG nod.

[russen18]

Riva I think is going to happen. Cotillard and Mirren not so much. I mean the critics so far have chosen Amour and Riva over Rust and Bone and Cotillard. Also nobody really seems to care for Hitchcock that much anyways. I do agree that she is peaking at the right time, but if she misses, it wont surprise me, and she does have a good, if even better performance in her that will win her an award some day.

[Habsburg]

I am feeling a Dame KK nomination.

[Dooby]

What's the expansion for theaters this week for the film? Anyone know? It's currently at 384.

[russen18]

I believe by the 14th or 21st this should be like full on released. From what I heard and read. Which is good.

[Dooby]

I guess they are hoping for the nominations to boost ticket sales. Globe nom seems likely but will SAG or BFCA bite? I'm thinking former no (they'll go for someone indie) and latter yes.