Anna Karenina World Premiere
Last Night the World Premiere of Anna Karenina took place in London’s Leicester Square. Keira Knightley walked the red carpet alongside co-stars Jude Law, Matthew McFadden and Aaron Taylor Johnson.
You can read our review of the film. But if you want to make up your own mind you can check out the lovely featurette below giving an exclusive sneak peek behind the scenes of the opulent costume clad production.
We also spoke to the film’s beautiful young star Alicia Vikander. You can also check out that video interview below:
Anna Karenina Keira Knightley Interview
Last night Keira Knightley walked the red carpet for the London world premiere of Anna Karenina, the latest costume epic from Director Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice). The film brings Tolstoy’s epic romantic saga to lavish life thanks to a screenplay by Tom Stoppard. It also boasts a cast that includes Jude Law, Alicia Vikander, Matthew Macfaden and Aaron Johnson.
Check out an exclusive video interview below with the beautiful Keira Knightley talking about her starring role as Anna Karenina. A married Russian socialite plunged into scandal thanks to a passionate affair with a handsome young cavalry officer.
Anna Karenina Review
The Plot:
Set in late-19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky.
The Good:
With any Joe Wright production you’ll see a lavish array of costumes and set design, and Anna Karenina is no exception. This time Wright’s world is almost entirely set on an old theatre stage and the intricate transitions from one scene to another are seamlessly done.
This is a big budget production, using clever means to depict a familiar story while taking a bold step away from past adaptations of Leo Tolstoy’s book. This re-telling can definitely walk away confident that it will almost certainly gather Oscar nods for costume, set, sound and potentially cinematography.
In terms of casting, Jude Law is sublime as Alexei Karenin, (Anna’s passive and tolerant husband) and by doing next to nothing, his presence on screen is scene stealing and captivating to watch. Aaron Johnson (despite his mustache) is a convincing Count Vronsky, a young virile officer who is tempted by the allure of married Anna.
As light relief, Matthew McFadden who previously played the brooding Mr Darcy, successfully don’s a jovial moustache as Anna’s lothario brother Oblonsky. Additionally newcomer Alicia Vikander deserves a notable mention for her innocent and gentile portrayal as Kitty.
The Bad:
Sadly there are a few flaws in Joe Wright’s beautiful effort. First and foremost the film is 130minutes long, which may stretch the patience of audiences, especially those that might not appreciate the film’s new take on period drama.
Though some of the film’s elaborate set-changing choreography works very well, particularly during the early portions of the film, as the story progresses it’s harder to sustain. Once the initial novelty of twirling scenery and people wears off, it may prove a distraction, especially for those eager to dismiss such an approach as heavy handed or pretentious.
However good the cast are, all the glamorous visuals can leave little room at times for them to fully develop their characters. The film’s central narrative is laid out in such clear parts that it can feel almost episodic at times, with gradual emotions making way for lavish production value.
Keira Knightley in the title role of Anna is at least breathtaking to look at as she takes on one of the most complex female characters in literature. However, even the former First Lady of the silver screen Gretta Garbo had trouble tackling the part in 1935. Sadly critics will once again claim that Keira’s performance is perhaps overly reliant on gasps and corsets.
Keira was Oscar nominated for Pride & Prejudice but it’s unlikely she’ll find similar accolades for Anna Karenina. The set and costume departments steal her thunder this time. Fans may also find her chemistry with Aaron Johnson, less passionately convincing than the intensity she found with James McAvoy in Atonement.
The Ugly Truth:
If you’re after a visual feast of beautiful costumes, make up and set design you will definitely not be disappointed. The high concept theatricality of Joe Wright’s production and Keira Knightley’s trademark performance may not entirely charm or convince everyone though.
The Avengers Takes Over $1.5 Billion
The Avengers has officially taken over $1.5billion at cinemas worldwide making it easily the top grossing film of 2012. The news largely overshadows the fact that The Dark Knight Rises became on the 13th film in history to surpass the $1billion mark at the box office.
Since arriving in cinemas in May, The Avengers has broken several box office records and is currently ranked as the third most successful films of all time behind James Cameron’s Avatar and Titanic. Following the astonishing success, Director Joss Whedon has confirmed that he will direct an Avengers sequel and is currently writing a spin-off live action Marvel TV series for ABC.
Green Mile star Michael Clarke Duncan dies at 54
Michael Clarke Duncan the towering Oscar nominated star of The Green Mile has died at the age of 54, having failed to recover from a heart attack he suffered in July.
Although best known for his unforgettable performance alongside Tom Hanks as a death row inmate in the big screen adaptation of Stephen King’s supernatural tale The Green Mile, he also appeared in countless films and TV series.
He took starring roles in Armageddon, Talladega Nights and top TV sitcom Two and a Half Men. Displaying considerable versatility despite is colossal 6ft4in stature.
The former bodyguard was instantly recognisable and immediately likeable. His fiancee, Reverend Omarosa Marigault has asked for privacy until details of the funeral and memorial events are announced.