Joe Wright became a specialist in film adaptations of classic novels, as he previously filmed Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen and Ian McEwan's "Atonement" with Knightley and James McAvoy. He usually works with the same actors, and so he gets to know them really well. With Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" the situation he got himself into was also as difficult.
People reading the classics already have images in mind, particularly if there already were countless film adaptations, like the Greta Garbo 1930s version, or the one with Vivien Leigh, both titans of acting. But Wright had Tom Stoppard in his team, and they both did really well there. I love Jude Law as Karenin, but can't help but wonder how would he play Wronski. Some say that at the age of 40, he's just too old. Oh well. I just don't think that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has enough stomach and charisma to fit in the boots. When acting is concerned, I really like Matthew Macfadyen, lovely Alicia Vikander as Kitty, and Domhnall Gleeson as Lewin.
There are some breath-taking scenes in the film, the costumes and set design are marvellous. Simply for these reasons it's really worth seeing.
For my review in Polish go to Filmnews. (or scroll down)
For my review in Polish go to Filmnews. (or scroll down)
