Keira Knightley film branded 'monumental piece of trash' but fans 'freaking love' it

Daily Record

26-06-2025

The 2012 film Anna Karenina was brought to screen by Joe Wright, the man behind period drama classics such as Pride and Prejudice and Atonment - but viewers have not been impressed
The cinematic adaptation of the 1878 novel Anna Karenina has failed to impress contemporary audiences, being dismissed as 'trash' despite its stellar cast.
Bringing the renowned novel to life, screenwriter Tom Stoppard and director Joe Wright - known for celebrated period pieces like Pride and Prejudice and Atonement - have woven this historical tapestry.
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Starring Keira Knightley in the lead role, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson as her lover Count Vronsky, and featuring stars such as Jude Law and even supermodel Cara Delevingne, the film set audience expectations sky-high.
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However, viewers were left wanting, enduring over two hours of scenes they found 'impossible to watch'. A damning Rotten Tomatoes review lamented the lack of emotional depth, stating: "The atmosphere, the feelings - just aren't there. If you are trying to adapt a Russian classic novel, understanding the culture is crucial."
Sporting a mere 63% overall score on Rotten Tomatoes, Anna Karenina hasn't enjoyed the accolades it was presumably aiming for upon joining streaming platforms. Nonetheless, at the time of its cinema debut, the flick clinched an Academy Award and a BAFTA for costume design, earning several nominations for its sumptuous visual treats, reports the Express.
Critics and audiences alike have been dissecting the film's performances, particularly from the two leads who had a tough act to follow due to the novel's acclaim. One review pointed out: "Keira Knightley and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's dry performances do little to elevate a truncated and emotionally flat Anna Karenina.."
The film has been described as preferring to tick off plot points rather than delve into the deeper philosophical themes of the story, yet it's hard to overlook director Joe Wright's bold artistic vision. Despite its shortcomings, his visual flair is noted to just about redeem the film: "A film more content to step through its source materials narrative beats rather than dig deeply into its philosophical underpinnings, but it is difficult to ignore director Joe Wright's arresting creative vision whose visual ambition ultimately outweighs its faults... if only just."
The storyline follows the tragic tale of Russian aristocrat Anna Karenina, the wife of a high-ranking government official, Alexei Karenin, and her illicit affair with Count Vronsky, a cavalry officer. Their clandestine romance becomes a scandal in their elite social circles, leading to Anna's ostracisation and eventual downfall.
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Regarding the casting choices, one viewer expressed severe disappointment, writing: "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."
Another aspect that drew attention was the film's music, which was described as unsettling throughout, although the cinematography and ensemble were praised: "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."
One viewer posted: "Amazing directing but oh my god the plot didn't hit at all. Too much train foreshadowing, 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)."
Anna Karenina is currently streaming on Amazon Prime, offering an immersive experience with its costume, production design, and cinematography. Alternatively, those in the mood for a period drama might find more popular adaptations among Joe Wright's other films.