“Anna Karenina”, a great performance by Keira Knightley – Libero Quotidiano

George Carbone

Born in Tortona (Al) on 19 December 1941. Graduated in law from Pavia. Journalist since 1971. Married to actress Ida Meda for 45 years. Two sons. Film critic (owner) for “La Notte” from 1971 to 1995. For “Libero” from 2000 to today. Author of three dictionaries: Dictionary of Films (from 1978 to 1990); All movies (1991 to 1999); TV Dictionary (1993).

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ANNA KARENINA
Iris at 21. With Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Matthew Macfadyen. Directed by Joe Wright. Production Great Britain 2012. Duration: 2 hours and 9 minutes

THE PLOT
Tolstoi’s novel brought to the screen for the umpteenth time, this time by the refined British director Joe Wright. Anna is the charming wife of a high-ranking Russian official at the time of the Tsars. She looks like a successful lady in reality she harbors the demon of transgression inside. She that she forcefully jumps out when the woman meets the brilliant officer Vronsky. Anna leaves her husband and children for him. A choice without return. Because when she is disappointed by Vronsky (frightened by a relationship that is too demanding) she Anna feels everything crumble and throws herself under a train.

WHY SEE IT
Because Knightley victoriously rivals other famous Karenines (Greta Garbo and Vivien Leigh). And because Wright stands out for a decidedly fascinating and original staging (the whole story is set in a nineteenth-century theater which magically changes from time to time, becomes a ballroom, a racecourse and in the end, a station). Certainly Wright makes a common mistake among directors of the Karenina. He chooses to play her husband, an actor (Jude Law) more attractive than her lover (Taylor Johnson of “Kick ass”).