Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Keira Knightley and Jude Law
‘A Powerful Period Piece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Domhnall Gleeson. Following his rise to fame in the 2000’s, Gleeson has proven to be a strong icon. Whether it’s bold soldiers, political leaders or space scavengers, Gleeson has played several larger than life characters. Arguably, Gleeson’s finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has always had a talent for stealing a show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Gleeson has always left a strong impression. An actor with a powerful commitment to his craft, Gleeson has become an icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to portray characters which prove compelling, Gleeson has established a commemorated legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his enduring career, Gleeson has made several unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Gleeson and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Anna Karenina” is my favourite. Released in 2012, Joe Wright’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest period pieces ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance from Domhnall Gleeson, who portrays a strong suitor seeking romantic relationships. Ultimately, what makes “Anna Karenina” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most period dramas, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing period piece, there are countless reasons why “Anna Karenina” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Set in Imperial Russia, “Anna Karenina” tells a story of a majestic woman facing a dilemma. Keira Knightley plays Anna Karenina, a strong woman with desire to find romance in her life. Anna has always shared a romantic bond with her husband Karenin (Jude Law), whom she’s loved dearly. However, Anna’s life dramatically changes when she engages in an extramarital affair causing grim disaster. Anne finds herself attracted towards the officer Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Vronsky is a strong cavalry officer with dreams of his own. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Anna is forced to wonder whether it’s possible to find love in a world causing disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Anna questions whether it’s truly possible for her to find love in a world which causes her to face trauma.
Joe Wright is fascinated with the period piece genre. A fantastic filmmaker, Wright has often made engrossing period pieces about women facing disaster. His award-winning film “Pride and Prejudice” offered a beautiful adaptation of a commemorated book about women facing prejudice. With “Anna Karenina”, however, the filmmaker made his first romantic period film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of romantic women facing adversity, but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Wright captures a woman on a journey to find her identity. Evoking Ang Lee’s “Sense & Sensibility”, Wright captures tensions women face with sense and sensibility through montages. For instance, montages elevate the ballroom dance scene. During this memorable scene, Anna engages in a romantic ballroom dance with Vronsky. Through bold montages, Wright creates a romance that’s captivating. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Richard Curtis’ “About Time” suggested, montages enhance commemorated romantic dramas about time travel. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Wright captures tensions that commemorated women in romance are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Anna Karenina” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Wright expertly uses costumes to capture the lives of women facing adversities. Throughout the movie, Anna’s bold costumes showcase her powerful transformation into a strong woman. For instance, costumes elevate the business meeting scene. During this tense scene, Anna has a business meeting with her fellow companions. Through strong costumes, Wright crafts a portrait of a woman audiences can relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Dario Marianelli’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that women bear. Through strong production, Wright honours a powerful book about period era women.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Anna Karenina” is a period drama which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of women facing tension. Evoking James Ivory’s “The Remains of the Day”, Wright successfully uses silence to capture the lives of women that face a grim price to pay. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this tense scene, Anna bids tearful farewell towards her suitors in a heartbreaking separation. Through silence, Wright honours a book about women readers value. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s “The Revenant” suggested that silence often enhances movies about wilderness survival. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Wright captures the lives of troubled women which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Domhnall Gleeson delivers one of his greatest career performances as Levin. Gleeson earned appreciation for portraying heroes in romantic comedies. With “Anna Karenina”, however, the actor took upon his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a suitor seeking romance in the 19th Century but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most commemorated role. With captivating expressions, he captures the angst, courage and romantic spirit of a suitor facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Domhnall Gleeson, the supporting cast is also terrific and worthy of appreciation. Keira Knightley is captivating, capturing the larger than life personality of a woman that strives to find romantic relationships causing adversity. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is astonishing, bringing dedication to a suitor seeking to find romantic relationships with compassions. Lastly, Jude Law merits appreciation. As a nobleman, he brings authority to the film.
Finally, “Anna Karenina” would earn praise of everyone for capturing women that endure a dilemma. Unlike most period dramas, the film tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes such as mental health, grief and romantic relationships which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about marriage that would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Anna Karenina” is one of those special period piece movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Domhnall Gleeson would appreciate “Anna Karenina” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A powerful period drama, it honours a celebrated actor with charisma.
Nearly 15 years following the relrease of a groundbreaking film about women seeking romantic relationships that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in movies which have always captivated the public.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 