Anna Karenina

Based on Leo Tolstoy's epic 1877 novel set in Imperial Russia, Anna Karenina opens with the titular character (Keira Knightley) arriving in Moscow from St. Petersburg to comfort distraught sister-in-law Dolly (Kelly Macdonald) after Anna's brother, Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyan), has been blatantly unfaithful. On the train, Anna meets Countess Vronsky (Olivia Williams), and sparks fly when she encounters the Countess's son, strutting cavalry officer Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Soon, even her staid, influential husband, Alexei Karenin (Jude Law), is aware of their scandalous flirtation. Risking not only her aristocratic reputation in society but access to her beloved, 8-year-old son, Anna impetuously embarks on a dangerous liaison that results in her pregnancy. Meanwhile, Oblonsky's best friend, a gentleman farmer named Levin (Domhnall Gleeson), is smitten with Dolly's younger sister, vacuous Princess Kitty (Alicia Vikander), who only has eyes for the philandering Vronsky. In this overwrought, superficially intellectual, highly stylized version, adapted by Tom Stoppard and directed by Joe Wright, much of the tragedy unfolds in a huge, magnificent theater where the various self-consciously aware players fall in and out of love onstage, backstage, and on catwalks. The spectacular ballroom dance numbers are intricately choreographed and dazzlingly costumed, yet the hollow artifice at the center of the film makes it difficult to make any emotional connection with the characters' indiscretions. Anna Karenina is an opulent film (nabbing Oscar nominations for cinematography, production design, and costume design) that provides a feast for the eyes but starves the soul. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Joe Wright, deleted scenes (13 min.), a time-lapse photo segment (8 min.), “Adapting Tolstoy” with screenwriter Tom Stoppard (5 min.), the production featurettes “On Set with Director Joe Wright (5 min.), “An Epic Story About Love” (5 min.), “Keira as Anna” (4 min.), and “Dressing Anna” (3 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is the BD-Live function, and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a beautiful but disappointing film.] (S. Granger)