Anna Karenina Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A married woman gets bored and jumps in front of a train because social media didn’t exist yet to give her validation for her life choices.

🍿 Anna Karenina: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Scandal in Moscow

The film opens in 1874, with Prince Oblonsky’s infidelity discovered by his wife, Princess Dolly, throwing their household into chaos. His sister, Anna Karenina, a respected socialite from St. Petersburg, travels to Moscow to help salvage the marriage. This sets the stage for the contrasting themes of adultery, societal expectations, and the search for happiness.

The Fateful Meeting

In Moscow, Anna meets Count Vronsky, a dashing cavalry officer, and they experience an immediate and intense attraction. Vronsky is also being pursued by Kitty, Dolly’s younger sister, creating a love triangle with devastating consequences. Their passionate encounter at a ball ignites a scandal, setting Anna on a path that will challenge her marriage and her place in society.

Consequences and Choices

Anna returns to St. Petersburg, but her feelings for Vronsky cannot be denied. She becomes increasingly torn between her duty to her husband, Alexei Karenin, and her son, and her overwhelming desire for love and freedom with Vronsky. The societal pressures and Karenin’s rigid stance push Anna further towards a life-altering decision.

Levin’s Journey

Parallel to Anna’s story, the film explores the life of Konstantin Levin, a landowner grappling with questions of faith, family, and the meaning of life. His pursuit of Kitty, initially unsuccessful, eventually leads him to find happiness and fulfillment in the simplicity of rural life and genuine love. Levin’s story offers a counterpoint to Anna’s tragic path, highlighting alternative ways of finding contentment.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley): An aristocratic socialite who enters into a scandalous affair that leads to her tragic downfall.
• Karenin (Jude Law): Anna’s stoic and respected husband, a high-ranking government official, who is betrayed by her infidelity.
• Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): A dashing and wealthy cavalry officer who becomes Anna’s lover, sparking societal condemnation.
• Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen): Anna’s brother, a charming but unfaithful prince whose own marital troubles set the story in motion.
• Dolly (Kelly Macdonald): Oblonsky’s wife, who initially banishes her husband due to his infidelity but eventually forgives him.
• Levin (Domhnall Gleeson): A wealthy landowner searching for meaning in country life, whose story parallels Anna’s.
• Kitty (Alicia Vikander): A young princess who is initially rejected by Vronsky but eventually finds happiness with Levin.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Count Vronsky: “I love you!” – Vronsky passionately declares his feelings for Anna, marking a pivotal moment in their relationship.
• Anna Karenina: “Why?” – Anna responds to Vronsky’s declaration, questioning the inexplicable nature of love.
• Count Vronsky: “You can’t ask Why about love!” – Vronsky says this to Anna, emphasizing that love is beyond reason and explanation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40.6M
• Domestic Gross: $12.8M
• Worldwide Gross: $68.9M

💥 Anna Karenina Reviews

Personal Review

I have mixed feelings! The movie is beautiful, especially the costumes and sets. But, the theatrical style was a little too much. At times it pulled me out of the story, and it was difficult to become immersed in the love story. I did enjoy Jude Law’s performance, and felt that he captured the complexity of Karenin perfectly. I wanted to care more about Anna and Vronsky, but I found it hard to connect with them amid the artifice.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Lovers of period dramas”
  • “Fans of Leo Tolstoy’s novels”
  • “Those interested in stories about societal expectations and forbidden love”
  • “Viewers who appreciate visually stunning films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Adultery”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “Joe Wright’s ‘Anna Karenina’ is visually striking, but the theatrical staging often feels like a distracting gimmick, overshadowing the emotional depth of Tolstoy’s novel. Keira Knightley delivers a committed performance, but the film struggles to find a consistent tone, resulting in a somewhat uneven experience.
• Empire Magazine: “A bold and inventive adaptation that dares to be different. The theatrical setting is initially jarring but ultimately serves to highlight the artificiality and constraints of Russian high society. Jude Law shines as the stoic Karenin, offering a nuanced portrayal of a complex character.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While visually stunning and featuring strong performances, Joe Wright’s ‘Anna Karenina’ prioritizes style over substance. The experimental approach may alienate some viewers, and the film ultimately fails to fully capture the emotional resonance of Tolstoy’s masterpiece.

Audience Reactions

The elaborate costume design was breathtaking and visually stunning.: Most agreed on the gorgeous visuals, costume, and Jude Law’s role. However, some criticized the theatrical style as distracting from the story.

Overall Consensus: Visually impressive but its theatrical presentation splits opinions on whether it added or detracted to the emotional story.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Costume Design)- 2013

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Joe Wright’s adaptation uses a theatrical stage setting to represent the artificiality and constraints of Russian high society.”
• “The elaborate costumes were designed by Jacqueline Durran, who also worked on other period dramas like ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and ‘Atonement’.”
• “Filming took place in various locations, including Kizhi, Karelia, Russia, to capture the authentic Russian landscapes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Anna Karenina?

Anna Karenina (2012) is available to stream on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other VOD services. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Anna Karenina, you might like these similar films:

• Atonement (2007): Another visually stunning period drama directed by Joe Wright, exploring themes of love, guilt, and social class.
• The Age of Innocence (1993): Set in a similar era, it depicts the constraints of high society and the consequences of forbidden love in 19th-century New York.
• Madame Bovary (2014): Explores a similar theme of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage seeking fulfillment through an affair, with tragic consequences.
• Dangerous Liaisons (1988): A period drama exploring the manipulative relationships and scandalous affairs within the French aristocracy, similar to the societal dynamics in Anna Karenina.

🛒 Anna Karenina Related Products

• Anna Karenina (Penguin Classics) Paperback: The classic novel by Leo Tolstoy, in an affordable and high-quality paperback edition. A must-have for any fan of the movie to truly appreciate its storyline.
• The Anna Karenina Companion: An extensive guide to the novel and film adaptation of Anna Karenina.
• Keira Knightley: A Life in Pictures: A photographic journey through the life and career of Keira Knightley, featuring iconic images from her roles, including Anna Karenina. Excellent for fans of Keira Knightley.
• Russian Imperial Style Tiara: Replica Russian Imperial Style Tiara. The tiara is inlaid with many sparkling crystals and the alloy is well polished which brings you a luxurious look. A glamorous hair accessory suitable for Weddings, Parties, Dances, Performances, or other special occasions. If you are the bride, this elegant headpiece must make you the most beautiful.

🎧 Soundtrack

Anna Karenina features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Anna Karenina” – performed by Dario Marianelli
• “Too Much” – performed by Dario Marianelli
• “Kurt Valse” – performed by Dario Marianelli

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Best of Keira Knightley

Witness Keira Knightley’s remarkable acting range as she brings diverse characters to life in this captivating compilation. Her performance in Anna Karenina shines through, leaving you awestruck by her emotional depth and intensity.

Keira Knightley Almost Didn’t Get Cast in ‘Pride and Prejudice’

Discover the surprising behind-the-scenes story of how Keira Knightley almost missed out on her iconic role in ‘Pride and Prejudice’! This clip reveals a fascinating glimpse into the casting process and adds a touch of intrigue to her performance in ‘Anna Karenina’.

Anna Karenina – Waltz Scene Analysis

Delve into the intricate world of ‘Anna Karenina’ with this thought-provoking analysis of the mesmerizing waltz scene. Expert commentary and behind-the-scenes details will deepen your understanding and appreciation of this cinematic masterpiece.

✨ Rate