Friday, August 3, 2012

Anna Karenina 2012 Clip



Just thought I might share.

I, for one, am absolutely perplexed. First off, after a few minutes of deep deliberation and raiding my mind for any existing knowledge of the book, which I read two years ago, I still have yet to understand the purpose of the seemingly melodramatic fireworks/dance scene at the beginning. My first reaction when watching was, "Oh God, they turned Anna Karenina into a musical." Thank Heaven that seems not to be true.

Perhaps sharing my thoughts on the clip so soon after having watched it is not exactly the wisest thing to do. I'm still grappling with my thoughts. So, instead of attempting to write a post with any kind of dictional or syntactical dignity, I'll instead list the foremost thoughts in my mind. These thoughts might be random and none of them really take precedence over the other. They might be minute observations or argumentative opinions. At this point, however, they're really all I can give.


  • Kiera Knightley is miscast. I'm sorry, I just don't see Anna Karenina. She was much more suited to her role in Pride and Prejudice. Her performance in Atonement  was beyond reproach. Now, however, I'm almost tired of seeing her as Joe Wright's go-to girl. Was she cast because it was an expectation? Was she honestly the best woman for the role? I don't know. 
  • The clothes don't fit her right. Wasn't the latter half of the 19th century all about voluptuousness and curves? 
  • The firework/musical thing...ummm. ??? The jury is still deliberating on that one. 
  • Vronsky could be a hit or miss. I'm not quite sure yet. 
  • I do appreciate, however, that a director has finally decided to cast the leads remembering the age differences between the novel's characters. Karenin is much older than Anna, and Jude Law looks it thanks to a pretty stellar makeup job. Anna is older than Vronsky. You can detect these age differences much better than in other adaptions. Side note: Why does hollywood have such a problem dealing with the ages of the characters? Will Cathy and Heathcliff ever look like teenagers? Will Rochester ever be played by a 38 year old man alongside an 18 year old Jane? 
  • Jude Law is going to be amazing. In the midst of this discombobulating blur of a clip, he is the constant deliverer. I can see something fantastic coming from him, and it is that which has me ready to see just how this movie will turn out. 
  • I think every minute Jude wasn't in the clip was stale and slightly awkward. 

Please comment! I love to respond. 

6 comments:

  1. I know, Keira seems completely and woefully miscast! She's not Anna at all (and I'm getting the urge to stomp on the floor and throw a tantrum - thanks Joe Wright). And you're right, it was a time when voluptuousness was in, and Tolstoy even makes a point to describe how especially curvy Anna is - I remember a passage about her pale and rounded arms and how delectable they were or something.

    The thing I'm most looking forward to i sthe visual aspect - all the dripping luxury of Russian high society seems to perfectly depicted; and also, as you say Jude Law's performance - it looks impeccable in this clip, and I'm totally impressed.

    And did you see that the blonde lady in the blue dress is Ruth Wilson? They blonde-ified her eyebrows too, so I was a bit thrown but you can't mistake those lips. Jane Eyres, represent! :D

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    1. We can throw a temper tantrum together.

      There is so much I'm afraid to really judge as of yet because I know that it's just a clip and clips often times doing discredits to the film when viewed alone. I don't know what exactly to expect, except for a great performance by Jude. Which would be great, because he's an amazing actor and since he was robbed of the Oscar for Cold Mountain I've been wanting him to get another shot. Maybe this might be it? But again, too soon to tell.

      And I did notice that, but I was so thrown by the blond hair that I honestly wasn't even sure. You'd think I know her face by heart after having seen it so much.

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  2. Having never read the book, I don't know if Keira is miscast or not. But I find her so irritating - she comes across as affected and pretentious. I tolerated her in P&P, but now I'm getting fed up with her unmerited ubiquity!

    I noticed Ruth Wilson (and Michelle Dockery). Well, at least you can virtually guarantee TWO good performances.

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    1. I believe she is. I wasn't so sure because I haven't read the book in so long and I'm not so invested, but after Lady pointed it out, I do remember that Tolstoy frequently characterized Anna as curvaceous. She was very sexually appealing to the eye, and even though I think Keira Knightly is very pretty, she's simply not the striking embodiment of feminine beauty that Anna is supposed to be. And you're right, her personality rarely changes throughout her roles.

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  3. Hi Ari, just stopped by to say I miss your posts =) I know you're probably busy (and with good reason) and not intending to pressure you at all. Just miss the usual lit lovin' ;) Hope all's going well.

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    1. You don't understand how appreciated this is :). I'll be a bit more regular now that I'm settled into the rhythm of school again and the summer assignments are all turned in. I miss the lit lovin' just as much as you do ha.

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