New Trailer: Keira Knightley in Joe Wright’s Fall 2012 ‘Anna Karenina’
June 21, 2012
Keira Knightley in “Anna Karenina”/Photo © Laurie Sparham/Focus Features
So it’s with eager excitement that we share the news that the first trailer for this coming fall’s “Anna Karenina,” directed by Joe Wright and starring Knightley, has arrived.
Keira Knightley has come a long way since her first taste of fame in “Bend It Like Beckham.” Though the 2002 movie was nominated for a Golden Globe and raked in more than $52M at the box office, it was still hovering far from the reaches of melancholy and impending doom. Here was a story that would have a happy ending. We’re not knocking the movie, of course; among being lightheartedly entertaining, its deeper-rooted themes of cultural mores and parental disobedience — and it gave most of the world their first look at Knightley.
Since then, however, the cute Gal Smiley we were all intrigued by has morphed into an actor capable of taking on such intensity filled roles as Elizabeth Bennet in “Pride & Prejudice,” for which she was nominated for her first (and as-yet only) Academy Award; Cecilia Tallis in Joe Wright’s adaptation of Ian McEwan’s Atonement; Ruth in 2010′s “Never Let Me Go,” based on the heartbreaking novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro; and the psychologically struggling Sabina Spielrein in David Cronenberg’s “A Dangerous Method,” based on the book about the relationship of Freud and Jung by John Kerr. So yes, Knightley’s come a long way since her days on the cinematic soccer field — and every piece of her evolution has been a wonder to witness.
Now, in the adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, considered by many to be the best novel ever, Knightley takes on the role of Anna. Anna — beautiful, married to Alexei (Jude Law), and carrying on a torrid affair with wealthy officer Count Vronsky (Aaron Johnson). Set in late-nineteenth century Russia, the lives of dozens intersect through the unraveling of this love story, at the center of which sits Knightley, in her multifaceted splendor. Watch the trailer and tell us: Do you think the movie will do justice to the novel?
Tags: A Dangerous Method, Anna Karenina, David Cronenberg, Ian McEwan, Joe Wright, Kazuo Ishiguro, Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley's Adaptation Work
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I don’t feel that Keira Knightley is up to the task of Anna. She is also far too thin to be Anna. It’s just not right. I’ll still see the movie though. It’s one of my favorite books, and though the movie may ruin it slightly, it could never surpass Tolstoy’s writing.
Why does Keira Knightley always look like she’s blowing out a candle? Does she know no other poses?
No movie ever does justice to the book. Gone With the Wind came close. I am not expecing this film to come close to the genius of Tolstoy, but I would like to see it. Writers are the first rank creatives – bringing something from nothing. Filmmakers, actors, etc. are interpretors. That is why writers are remembered and the others are not.
Tolstoy is a saint and Anna Karening is the mothet of all novels – IS
Just going by the trailer alone, I don’t think justice to the book will be served. Because it’s my favorite book, I’ll see the movie, if nothing else, I’m sure it will be mildly entertaining! I wouldn’t have casted Keira Knightley as Anna though… that’s just wrong!
This entire business of using British accents for everything except American movies is complete garbage. I love British and similar accents, but even half-way educated viewers know that Russians don’t have them. If the producers are suggesting that the movie is to be seen as a British stage play, then they’re already admitting they and the actors are not capable of creating a true work of art with accents that approximate those used in the period and region depicted. It’s high time these extremely expensive film productions stopped overlooking the one element that can make a period piece seem ridiculous.
I think I want to change my name to Im Appalled. Tom Stoppard, I love you, but this makes me want to vomit in horror. If I am wrong, I will be the first to say so.
I have seen other versions of Anna and none of them have lived up to Tolstoy’s work. I have always felt that Tolstoy’s message is delivered AFTER Anna kills herself, and yet directors always stop the story with her death. Leaves me shaking my head with wonder that anyone would understand Tolstoy’s genius if they only knew him thru film.
I have to agree with Jennifer. Levin’s story of finding understanding, love, and peace is my absolute favorite thing about the book. He is the contrast to Anna, and he’s what gives the book meaning.
i dont like kiera knightley as anna
I guess everyone else disagrees, but I think this looks really good! I read the book in my literature class in high school, so I’m pretty excited to see the movie.
Where is Levin??? Where is Kitty??? They are as much central to the book as the glitzy lovers, in fact it could easily be argued that they are *more* central to the core statement of the book. But then, it *is* Hollywood, ain’t it? This is my favorite novel of all time, but it certainly doesn’t appear that it will be done justice.
Hello, the book is about Kitty and Levin and Anna is a subplot….they changed the name of the book does anyone study literature?
One of my favorite novels, too. Already from this trailer I can see it won’t live up to the book, but I’ll probably see it anyway.
I agree with all who say Keira Knightly is a poor Anna. A few years back Sophie Marceau had the role. Didn’t like her in it either. Decades ago there was a TV version that had Jacqueline Bisset as Anna, Christopher Reeve as Vronsky. I don’t remember much about it, except that I thought the two of them were very well cast.
Surprising casting of Jude Law as Karenin–he might pull it off. But the guy they picked for Vronsky doesn’t match my image of him at all. I always saw him as dashing, strapping, really opposite to the dried-up Karenin. Aaron Johnson looks too effete, imho.
AK is my favorite novel and Tolstoy’s best. I think Keira is wonderful in the role and I will run, run, run to see the film.
Thanks!
Some things cannot be improved upon. Vivien Leigh was the PERFECT Anna, the rest of the casting was excellent also. I won’t even bother to see this new version. For all of you who haven’t seen the old version with Vivien Leigh and Ralph Richardson, you are missing out. It brings the book to life!