Anna Karenina (2012 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Joe Wright (director) |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Historical romantic drama film |
| Parent | Working Title Films, StudioCanal |
Anna Karenina is a historical romantic drama film from 2012, directed by Joe Wright. The screenplay, adapted by Tom Stoppard, is based on Leo Tolstoy's 1878 novel and centers on the doomed romance between the Russian noblewoman Anna Karenina, portrayed by Keira Knightley, and the cavalry officer Count Vronsky, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Jude Law appears as Anna's husband, Alexei Karenin. The ensemble cast also features Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Domhnall Gleeson, and Alicia Vikander.
The production was handled by Working Title Films and StudioCanal. The film debuted at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival before its UK release on 7 September 2012, followed by the US release on 16 November 2012. With a production budget of $40.6 million, it earned around $69 million globally, largely from overseas markets. While critics lauded the performances, opinions were divided regarding Wright's highly stylized, theatrical direction, with some reviewers suggesting that style overshadowed narrative depth.
At the 85th Academy Awards, the film garnered four nominations and received six nods at the 66th British Academy Film Awards, winning Best Costume Design for Jacqueline Durran at both ceremonies. It also secured six nominations at the 17th Satellite Awards, including Best Actress for Knightley and Best Adapted Screenplay for Stoppard.
Plot
Set in the Russian Empire during 1874, Princess Darya "Dolly" expels her unfaithful spouse, Prince Stephan "Stiva" Oblonsky. Anna Karenina, Stiva's sister and a prominent figure in Saint Petersburg society living with her husband Count Alexei Karenin and their son Seryozha, travels to Moscow to urge Dolly to reconcile with Stiva.
Stiva reconnects with his longtime friend Konstantin "Kostya" Levin, a landowner who is scorned by Moscow’s aristocracy due to his preference for rural life. Levin harbors feelings for Stiva’s sister-in-law, Princess Kitty, and Stiva encourages him to propose marriage. However, Kitty rejects Levin’s proposal as she hopes to wed the affluent officer Count Alexei Vronsky. Levin encounters his brother Nikolai, who has renounced his inheritance to live with Masha, a prostitute. Nikolai advises Levin to consider marrying a peasant woman. On a train journey, Anna meets Countess Vronskaya, Vronsky’s mother, who is socially isolated because of her own past infidelities. Anna and Vronsky are immediately drawn to one another. Anna persuades Dolly to accept Stiva back into her life. During a ball, Kitty dances briefly with Vronsky but he shows greater interest in Anna, leaving Kitty distressed. Vronsky tells Anna that he intends to be wherever she is.
Back in Saint Petersburg, the relationship between Vronsky and Anna becomes the subject of gossip. Despite being offered a promotion in Tashkent, Vronsky declines; Anna expresses that she does not want him to leave her side. They subsequently become lovers.
Stiva informs Levin that Kitty will not marry Vronsky. Levin shifts his attention toward country living and contemplates marrying a peasant girl.
Anna visits the Karenin estate outside Saint Petersburg with her son Seryozha. She confides in Vronsky about her pregnancy; he urges her to leave Karenin. She suggests that Karenin attend horse races but conceals her true emotions when Vronsky’s horse falls during an event. Anna admits to her husband that she is having an affair with Vronsky; Karenin demands that she renounce Vronsky. Meanwhile, Levin realizes his enduring love for Kitty. Months later, Anna receives a visit from Vronsky who explains that military obligations delayed him. Karenin finds letters from Vronsky and uses them as grounds to file for divorce.
Karenin visits Stiva and Dolly to announce his intention to divorce; they plead for forgiveness but he remains resolute. Levin and Kitty reconcile and marry. When Anna goes into premature labor, she summons Vronsky but later confesses she doubts he could ever replace Karenin’s steadiness. Believing Anna is dying, Karenin forgives her; she survives and opts to remain with him.
Vronsky convinces Anna to reconsider; they depart for Italy together with their daughter Anya.
Levin and Kitty return home where Nikolai lives in poor health alongside Masha in a storage room. Levin promises Kitty he will arrange for Masha’s departure but Kitty defies social conventions by helping care for Nikolai. Levin’s affection for Kitty deepens.
Anna returns for Seryozha’s birthday but is rebuffed by Karenin. Suspecting Vronsky of unfaithfulness, she attends an opera with the socialite Princess Myagkaya but faces public ostracism. Humiliated, Anna breaks down at her hotel and resorts to morphine to sleep.
Dolly reports that Kitty is in Moscow preparing for childbirth while Stiva remains unchanged though she has forgiven him.
Vronsky informs Anna he must attend a business meeting with his mother. When Princess Sorokina brings Vronsky home later, Anna grows anxious suspecting Countess Vronskaya wants him to wed Sorokina. On the train back to Moscow, Anna envisions Vronsky laughing with Sorokina at her expense. Upon arrival in Moscow, she utters "Oh God. Forgive me," before throwing herself under a train. The scene cuts to a stunned Vronsky witnessing this.
Levin returns home to find Kitty bathing their child. Stiva’s family joins Levin and Kitty for dinner. Meanwhile, a retired Karenin is seen at his estate watching Seryozha and Anya play together.
Cast
- Keira Knightley portrays Anna Arkadievna Karenina
- Jude Law appears as Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin, Anna’s spouse and a senior government official
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, Anna’s lover and a cavalry officer
- Matthew Macfadyen takes on the role of Prince Stepan "Stiva" Arkadyevich Oblonsky, Anna’s brother and a civil servant
- Kelly Macdonald acts as Princess Darya "Dolly" Alexandrovna Oblonskaya, Stiva’s wife
- Alicia Vikander is cast as Princess Ekaterina "Kitty" Alexandrovna Shcherbatskaya, the younger sister of Dolly
- Domhnall Gleeson plays Konstantin "Kostya" Dmitrievich Levin, a landowner and close friend of Stiva
- Olivia Williams appears as Countess Vronskaya, mother to Vronsky
- Ruth Wilson portrays Princess Elizaveta "Betsy" Tverskaya, Vronsky’s cousin
- Emily Watson takes the role of Countess Lidia Ivanovna, the head of Karenin’s high society circle
- Michelle Dockery features as Princess Myagkaya, a friend of Anna
- Raphaël Personnaz acts as Count Alexander "Sasha" Kirillovich Vronsky, brother to Alexei
- David Wilmot plays Nikolai Dmitrievich Levin, Konstantin’s sibling
- Emerald Fennell appears as Princess Merkalova
- Tannishtha Chatterjee is cast as Maria "Masha" Nikolaevna, Nikolai’s wife
- Kyle Soller features as Korsunsky
Supporting cast includes Pip Torrens and Susanne Lothar portraying Prince and Princess Shcherbatsky; Alexandra Roach as Countess Nordston; minor appearances by Holliday Grainger; and a silent role played by Cara Delevingne. Brief cameos are delivered by Bill Skarsgård, Shirley Henderson, and Steve Evets, with uncredited appearances from John Bradley (English actor) and Vicky McClure.
Production
Director Joe Wright led this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, marking his fourth collaboration with Working Title Films. The primary filming occurred mainly on one soundstage at Shepperton Studios near London, which was crafted to resemble an aging theatre. The film’s musical score was composed by Italian artist Dario Marianelli, while costumes were designed by Jacqueline Durran and production design handled by Sarah Greenwood—all frequent partners of Wright. Other significant crew members included cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, editor Melanie Ann Oliver, and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
Casting
The principal cast includes Keira Knightley in the role of Anna, Jude Law portraying her husband Karenin, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Vronsky. Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson plays Konstantin Levin. Additional supporting actors are Kelly Macdonald, Olivia Williams, Matthew Macfadyen, Michelle Dockery, and Tannishtha Chatterjee. Originally, Saoirse Ronan and Andrea Riseborough were slated for parts but were replaced by Alicia Vikander and Ruth Wilson due to scheduling conflicts. Ronan declined the role of Kitty to focus on leading roles in Byzantium and The Host. Furthermore, Holliday Grainger, known for her work in The Borgias, appeared briefly as Baroness Shilton.
Filming
Rehearsals with Keira Knightley began in July 2011 before principal photography started in October 2011. The film was distributed by Focus Features in North America and by Universal Pictures International overseas. It premiered on 7 September 2012 in the United Kingdom and was released on 9 November 2012 in the United States.
Critical reception
The film holds a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 192 critiques, with an average rating of 6.5 out of 10. The site's summary reads: "Joe Wright's dynamic interpretation of Tolstoy's timeless romance is a daring, visually distinctive creation – eliciting mixed reactions." On Metacritic, it earned a score of 63 out of 100, signifying "generally favorable" feedback.
Oliver Lyttleton from The Playlist assigned the movie a B+, describing it as a "courageous reinterpretation" and commending Knightley's portrayal alongside Law’s outstanding work. He observed that the film may polarize viewers but remains "endearing despite its imperfections." Ian Freer of Empire gave it four stars, applauding Wright’s inventive direction and the cast’s performances, highlighting how the film integrates various artistic disciplines while preserving cinematic qualities.
Jason Solomons of The Observer labeled Knightley’s performance as "exceptional" and lauded the film’s refinement and visual storytelling. Leslie Felperin from Variety recognized Wright’s directorial skill and technical prowess but considered the narrative "distinctly cold." The Daily Mirror praised Knightley’s strong acting and Wright’s innovative approach, attributing the film’s success to its striking cinematography and costume design.
However, some reviews were less enthusiastic. The Hertfordshire Mercury complimented the visual style but criticized the production design for lacking unity. Stella Papamichael at Digital Spy awarded two stars, faulting Wright for emphasizing aesthetics over narrative substance despite Knightley’s compelling role. Neil Smith of Total Film also rated it two stars, suggesting that the elaborate stagecraft detracted from the storyline and that Knightley’s portrayal was less captivating compared to her earlier work. Richard Brody from The New Yorker reproached Wright for reducing Tolstoy’s complex plot into a superficial cinematic format without contributing significant depth.
Accolades
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2012 films
- 2010s historical romance films
- 2012 romantic drama films
- American epic films
- American historical romance films
- American romantic drama films
- BAFTA winners (films)
- British epic films
- British historical romance films
- British romantic drama films
- Films about infidelity
- Films about the upper class
- Films about royalty
- Films based on Anna Karenina
- Films directed by Joe Wright
- Films produced by Eric Fellner
- Films produced by Tim Bevan
- Films scored by Dario Marianelli
- Films set in 1874
- Films set in 19th-century Russian Empire
- Films set in Moscow
- Films set in Saint Petersburg
- Films shot at Bovingdon Studios
- Films shot at Shepperton Studios
- Films shot in Oxfordshire
- Films shot in Russia
- Films that won the Best Costume Design Academy Award
- Films with screenplays by Tom Stoppard
- Working Title Films films
- Universal Pictures films
- 2010s English-language films
- 2010s American films
- 2010s British films
- English-language romantic drama films
- English-language historical romance films