Anna Karenina (2012)Movie Reviews

  • Go Based on 8,341 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • So-so
    Written November 25, 2012

    Stylized and Artificial

    by Caramel6

    We went with high expectations but left disappointed. A lot of effort went into making this movie but the result felt artificial and lifeless. Beautiful settings, beautiful costumes and a beautiful Anna Karenina. Great original novel. Too much art and not enough life in the movie translation of the book. We were surprised that the movie is not showing widely. After seeing the movie the reason became clear.

    • 15 out of 26 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 2, 2012

    Stunning WOW

    by BoweryBob

    I went on GF's suggestion and Lo! was blown away by a super brilliantly directed/acted gem of a movie w/ attitude. conveying fully the passionate novel and giving us a sense of place all over the place -- from waltz to sex, symbol to surreal. Enjoy!

    • 11 out of 18 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 6, 2012

    Anna Karenina

    by MissBee3867

    Good movie. Different presentation for a classic. Costumes were wonderful and so were the scenes. Worth to see with your girlfriends. Guys might not appreciate it.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written December 12, 2012

    Tragic and Comic?

    by brookeevee

    It was hard to get into the story as a theatrical beginning. Having read the novel, it was not what I expected of a tragic drama type story. It was hard to be sympathetic to the characters when they were portrayed as superfluous spirits, running about here and there.
    The costuming was beautiful and the make up superb on the characters. Some scenery were breathtaking others superfluous. It was a mixed bag of disconcernment on my part.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written December 10, 2012

    Lets Tolstoy Down

    by 42morebutterbeers

    I was disappointed by this film. Visually it is quite compelling, but the conceit of presenting scenes as though being staged becomes distracting and diminishes the film's content. The novel is a deep and weighty book that treats deep and weighty subjects. In the film, they become superficial, lost in all the pretty pictures. It is all frosting and no cake.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 2, 2012

    A Stunningly Smart Film

    by Film-girlly

    This movie was exceptional. It was a play within a movie. The sets were creative and alluring. The acting was top shelf. The costumes and jewelry were unbeliievable. I loved this film from start to finish. If you read the book you will love the movie!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written December 2, 2012

    Unique setting/presentation and well done!!

    by theatermaven19

    My daughter and I went to see this over the weekend and we both enjoyed it alot. At times I laughed, but mostly I was drawn into the dramatic presentation of the story! The costumes and jewelry were exquisite and stunning!! It was unique in that some of the setting was done as a stage effect. I have never seen any other movie done this way. And there were a few parts that seemed like a musical. Keira Knightly gave an excellent performance! I have never read the book or seen other movie adaptations of the story. I was impressed by this one though and will most likely buy the movie for my collection when it comes out as a dvd. I say "definitely go see it!"

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written January 3, 2013

    no

    by NMHiker

    Someone said this movie was more of a musical, not to me this was more of a play. Sets were moved as the place changed or mood. I left during the movie I was so turned off. Didn't like it at all.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written December 9, 2012

    Why call it Anna Karenina. Why not call it "I am so clever as a writer/director?"

    by Elainee

    It open showing a theater and the people/characters in it. Curtains, wheels, walkways...behind the scenes. Ah..a train! That's foreshadowing, just in case you didn't know. There are no real people, no character development. Just magnificently dresse beautiful people wandering about when they are not dancing. It is a pagnent. But so over the top it becomes silly. The jewlery should win an Oscar. Not the actors.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written December 10, 2012

    A beautiful, terrible movie

    by ttomkruse

    I won't insult chicks by calling this movie a chick flick. It's just a movie for shallow snobs. OK, the visuals were beautiful, and the acting was at least average. But the story only vaguely resembled Tolstoy's classic; the screenplay was TERRIBLE; and the direction was pretentious. SAVE YOUR MONEY. THIS MOVIE IS A WASTE OF TIME.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written December 23, 2012

    D+

    by RUSHHMAN

    Trying to adapt Tolstoy cannot be an easy task and this dud proves it. I liked the cinematography, costumes, and acting, which is why I added the +, but everything else, including the stage-like depiction, is D-worthy. Very slow moving and hard to understand, maybe I'm too simple, but I almost fell asleep several times. Anna is extremely complicated and easy to like, but everyone else is the opposite. Watch at your own risk!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 17, 2012

    Bravo!

    by niklandia

    I am Russian and I have seen multiple versions of this movie ( I also read the book a million times since Tolstoy is my favorite author). None of the movies had ever touched me as this one did. Director did an amazing job with the theater-like transitions. Because of them all the scenes move really fast and you don't waste any time. Considering that the book is about 600 pages, it really helps. Plus, it keeps you focused on the main characters.
    I was very curious about how British would interpret such a classic piece, and I was not disappointed. As usual, they stayed very close to the story, the details were realistic.
    But the best part of the movie is the acting. Keira is outstanding as always, Jude Law is unbelievable(his best), and Vronsky is the way I imagined him when I was reading the novel.
    The chemistry between Anna and Vronsky is so vivid, it's electrifying. You really feel like you are there!The final touch is the fantastic music.Definitely watching it again.
    Bravo!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written February 26, 2013

    Read the Book

    by lovejay

    Anna Karenina has good actors, many scenes that are waay too long, and this viewer got really tired of the theatrical concept threaded throughout the movie. I know, sounds wierd, but don't want to spoil by explaining further. Beautiful costumes, liked the script. Not for kids. If you like slow, super-romanticized films, you'll like this.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written December 17, 2012

    Entertaining but not a must see

    by HanBeMau

    If you like period movies with great scenery and costumes, this is a great choice. But the setting was a bit strange (I don't want to say more as to give it away) and a bit confusing. The plotline is classic "soap opera" and, since I have not read the book, I can't say how true to the plot it was. The acting, however, was very good and it was a good way to spend a rainy Sunday. If you miss it at the movies, DVD is a good option for this movie.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written December 22, 2012

    SEMI MUSICAL FEEL TO IT...SEMI IMPRESSED

    by cinemafan1965

    I was somewhat disappointed with the music and cinematography arrangement. I was expecting to see something that felt like a drama with an interesting historical lesson. However, what I got was a story with the kind of music from a production like Annie. I almost thought someone was going to be flying across the screen or something. I like some musicals... just not what I expected when I bought my ticket.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Anna Karenina (2012) Movie Reviews + Ratings

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Tweets About Anna Karenina (2012)

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bealerrr I wish Anna Karenina was about Levin. His tortured soul is much simpler, and more pragmatic. None of this flamboyant suicide.

14 hours ago.

eat_mebabyy There was a time when I was in love. But love never loved me back. #theantithesis #annakarenina

15 hours ago.

seedney_ He was really good in Anna Karenina tho

16 hours ago.

Candraa17 I was able to persevere through unabridged Anna Karenina, I think I can handle anything. I HATE when a book is abridged. #stoprightnow

17 hours ago.

ambershahid Thinking to watch Anna Karenina again! What a classic it is! Loved the mannerism in the movie! The way they wud sit, walk or talk is amazing

1 days ago.

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Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interview Keira Knightley talks about her "tricky" character, Jude Law on his passive-aggressive role and Joe Wright on filming the movie on a stage. More Films on Fandango's Award Watch A sneak peek at Hollywood's race to the Oscars!