What a monumental piece of trash, and such an incredible amount of talent wasted. This was a very disgusting deconstructionist approach. it was almost like Joe Wright hates the audience. The music is intentionally unnerving the entire time, but it's beautifully shot, with an amazing cast. Good for stills, and maybe a trailer/teaser. I freaking LOATHE this film. Good artists are going to take vengeance, mark my words.

Amazing directing but oh my god the plot didn't hit at all. Too much train forshadowing, no chemistry at all between Anna and Vronsky (which is crazy because Keira Knightley and Aaron Taylor Johnson are both very attractive people). The side characters were more interesting (Matthew Macfadyen and Domhnall Gleeson outsold)

Having just read the book I felt it behoved me to see the film version. I wasn't expecting too much, what with so much story and sub-plots to contend with, but I think Tom Stoppard did a fantastic job with this script. I'm not sure that someone who had not read the book would enjoy it so much, or really be able to follow it too well - the genius with which Tolstoy intertwines storylines makes them seem all utterly necessary, and as a film this had to leave many things out, Vronsky's suicide attempt perhaps being the most glaring omission. The theatrical staging felt odd at first, but then it really grew on me. Overall I think as well as anymore two-hour film can represent 964 pages of dense literary brilliance I think this did as well as any film could have.

I’m not sure why they chose to do a “theatrical” style to this movie. While it was kind of/sort of interesting in some parts, but it was ultimately distracting. The point of watching a film is to get lost in it. Yet every time it would revert back to the “theatrical stage” view, you are pulled out of the story — to the point where some instances are just confusing. Also, It’s hard to cover everything necessary in such a long book, so naturally some things are left out. If you don’t know the story ahead of time, you might find yourself lost at times. And usual, Hollywood tries to compensate for the film’s short falls by including unnecessarily sexual scenes. We understood that they were having an affair. There’s no reason to show them in “the act” over and over again, where some scenes verge on softcore porn. For this reason, I would give it one less star because I found it to be distasteful and also detracting from the story, but the quality of the acting made up for it.

I’ve been meaning to rewatch ever since I read the book a few years ago, and finally got to it. It was somewhat how I remembered - the theatrical style, while playful in some parts, is overall trying too hard and is a distraction from the story. It’s at its best during the game of cat and mouse between Vronsky and Anna + the dance scene. And, the costumes, visuals, and cast are excellent: ATJ is a beautiful angel and I too would lose my mind for him, Keira Knightly is doing what she was born to do, Matthew Macfadyen is a perfect match, and honestly why don’t we have more Domnhall in period dramas?

I could not make it through the book when I tried many years ago (too boring), but I mostly enjoyed this movie. Very strange the way they filmed pretty much the whole movie in that one theater and changed sets during scenes. But somehow it kinda worked. I don't usually like Keira's acting, but she drew me in. I didn't know how it ended, but I predicted it right before it happened. That affair ruined her life, and it's a bit tragic. They probably did the best they could from the source material.

If Wright didn’t want to make a period film, why did he choose Anna Karenina??

Despite the emotional deficiencies this adaptation suffers, the magnificent direction and production created a unique depiction of an extremely complicated piece to adapt. The strong cast carries the story and maybe the genre will not convince you but it is something that must be seen.

Way to go making a Tolstoy story into something so boring. Only reason its getting a one star is because of Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Directed by Joe Wright, based on the Leon Tolstoï's story under the same name, this movie starting with the beautiful Keira Knightley who's playing Anna, married to Alexis Karenine is a reflection of the Russian society in the XIX century. This story is about the secret relationship of Anna and the count Vronski, unfortunatly, their scandalous situation will make Anna choose bitween her stable family situation and her son or her passionate love.I think that the plot is gripping, you absolutly want to know how the main caracter is going to end this situation and it turn in a way you've can't believe it. The realisation is also stunning, most of the scene are taking place in a theater and the photography is impressive, some of the shots are breath taking! The protagonist is spectacular, Keira have done a real performance and Aaron Taylor Jonhson who's playing the comte too, this couple is amazing in front of the camera. The script is thought-provoking and this makes this movie, one of my favourites. Please watch this movie and cry all your tears, you have to.

this movie is absolutely beautiful. no words, just beautiful

I'll be honest, I gave 5 stars only to Vronsky aka Aaron Taylor Johnson because he's the hottest man that has ever appeared on screen

I would rather say the society doesn't give a woman a chance to really explore a career, a job, a side hustle, a sewing event, a concert, or really anything like that. I don't feel Anna has done anything wrong, but I feel she represents the soul awakening experience of the people not in power, and the end result of soul awakening is being misled by people with evil intentions, which cause her death. The Russian society is very authoritative and depressive.

The master of making boring, pretentious drivel doesn't disappoint with this dull fare. Is there a more overrated director than Joe Wright working today? Unlikely.

This is an extremely underrated film that I'm so glad I went into blind. A haunting and surreal take on a very dense classic novel. Excellent pacing that sweeps you through the pages and brings this tale to life. The cinematography is unique and fascinating throughout. Russian high society is portrayed entirely on the stage, and we only see select characters who are able to escape it. Sets are reused and woven into the narrative in a way that continues to swing the viewer around in its dizzying and hypnotic waltz. The soundtrack also deserves high acclaim. Dario Marianelli's score works masterfully and pulls the perfect blend of emotion and high drama to fit Kiera Knightley's fierce, relentless Anna. The movie benefits from a second watch to take in the small intricacies of the story and to appreciate the extreme care and detail that went into the set in each shot. It is not a classic take on this story, but I found this rendition fresh and exhilarating.

Never a fan of this story, but the acting is strong.

The best production design ever made in a movie! With the best movie costumes ever designed!

With amazing composition and astounding shots, the movie takes a daring and innovative approach towards a classic novel and succeeds in its creativity. The theatre set is used to blur the line between the dreadful and catastrophic reality that Anna lives and the often dramatic dream life that she imagines for herself. With a surrealist undertone and beautiful filmmaking, this is and has been since I first saw it, my favorite, and in my opinion most heavenly movie.

Exquisite portrayal of European culture. Love the dresses and the intimacy of Anna and Vronsky. Tragic love story yet the story is far away from perfectly delivered. But while watching the movie, I barely listen to a single Russian word spoken by any character in the movie.

A fine looking adaptation but the writing could have been better