Anna Karenina (2012)Movie Reviews

  • Go Based on 8,339 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Go
    Written November 17, 2012

    Beautifully engaging

    by MedRed

    Anna Karenina takes place in some of the most lavish and detailed settings to grace the big screen. This movie is a feast for the eyes. The scene transitions happen as if on a stage in a theater.

    The actual story is close to 70% of the novel's content. It does deviate in some places mostly through omission of details as opposed to rewriting the story. The acting is top shelf and the story is well paced.

    For Tolstoy purists, you may be left wanting more. For someone that wants to see an engaging tragedy based on one of the greatest novels ever written, you won't be disappointed.

    • 36 out of 49 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written November 20, 2012

    Beautiful vision

    by pennylane67

    Anna Karenina is enchanting. Part film, part play...fantastic. The performances were stirring. Keira Knightly plays Anna in such a moving yet subtle peformance. Aaron Johnson was amazing. His eyes are absolutely mesmerizing. Such chemistry between Aaron and Keira. When Count Vronsky first appears on screen he took my breath away, literally.

    • 30 out of 40 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • So-so
    Written November 18, 2012

    Enjoyable and fun but far from the novel

    by oksanah

    It is of course impossible to transform the whole book on to the screen of a movie theater but I thought a better job could have been accomplished. A lot of important parts have been ommited and unimportant were displayed. In L. Tolstoy's life religion played a very important role and in his book one is able to follow authors questions and thoughts about the purpose and meaning of life which were bearly touched upon in the movie. Will this movie satisfy and entertain the American audience? yes, but does it convey the ideas that the author was trying to accomplish in his novel? no. On the other hand, well picked actors that have done a marvelous job, a good music selection and background scenes.

    • 26 out of 40 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written November 25, 2012

    Breathtaking

    by Irishlass4165

    How it is played out is a little different than traditional films...beautifully filmed. You will connect with the characters , enjoy the music, dances, costumes, the story. Keira Knightly plays the part beautifully.
    If you like period films and are a romantic at heart....it is a must see.

    • 22 out of 32 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • No
    Written November 24, 2012

    Miscast, and oh sooo boring!!!

    by jillcassidy

    One of the most passionate love stories of all times has been reduced to a few badly placed sound bites. Judd Law does his best, but there is only so much that this great actor can do with so very little to work with! Rent the original!!

    • 17 out of 23 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written December 3, 2012

    Spectacular

    by ehmoviefan

    LOVED everything about this film, I am hoping it wins many awards next year. Kiera is beautiful and I am sure I will view this film again. Costumes, sets, casting, all right on the money and kudo's to all involved. An amazing experience that will thrill anyone who love period pieces and great literature.

    • 18 out of 25 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written December 8, 2012

    REALLY A MUSICAL!

    by b_r_hardcastle

    I read the book and thought I knew what I was about to see but was completely surprised by the unusual and very creative setting of this movie. I hear that the critics are just as shocked and many didn't like it but I did - enough to see it twice. The movie was actually choreographed throughout so that the music and dance-like movements were an important part of telling the beautiful story. I especially loved that the whole Tolstoy novel was portrayed - not just "Anna's" story. Anna's brother & sister-in-law as well as another couple's love stories were told also and were a nice contrast to Anna's tragedy. Also, the movie included Tolstoy's comments on the rigidity of Russian society and brought out the class warfare that would lead to the communist revolution years later. It was great - I would see it again!

    • 19 out of 27 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written December 1, 2012

    Anna Karenina

    by carolyne00

    The beginning was a little choppy, but once I figured out what the director was going for, it got better.

    I was so mad at Keira Knightley, she was playing games with both men. The things she said to her husband enraged me, which means it was well done. Jude Law had such a range, I wouldn't have know it was him, if I had read up on it. He really made me care about him.

    Good Movie!

    • 13 out of 19 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Oh No!
    Written December 6, 2012

    Anna Karenina is awful

    by Kiera fan

    Loved Jude and Kiera but my husband and I left 20 minutes into the movie. I suppose the director thought it was "artsy" to show the movie as if it were a play, with sets changing, etc. However, it just left us scratching our heads wondering what was going on! We expected a moving, serious movie, but instead felt like we were watching a bad vaudville act. This was terrible! Half theater and half film and not the best of either. Come on guys! The previews did not even prepare you for this disaster. Sorry.

    • 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • No
    Written December 15, 2012

    Weird

    by oneof5

    I like Keira Knightly and I love Anna Karenina (the book). I was very disappointed in this movie! It was weird at best. Low budget screamed from this movie. These people are Russian aristocracy and the director makes the characters, actors, and the setting is a stage!! It DOES look like a bad dream!!! I wanted to see over the top residencies and beautiful Russian countryside not a danged back stage. CHEAP!!! Weird!!! Tolstoy is turning over in his grave!!! They might as well made the setting, Disney World. In fact Disney World probably would have been better.

    • 18 out of 30 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written December 16, 2012

    Powerful story presented in an unique way

    by

    Did not read Tolstoy's book but the movie presented a powerful emotional story. But it was presented in a unique way which I found somewhat distracting and seemed to lessen the impact for me. But it is definitely worth seeing.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written November 18, 2012

    Stoppard and Wright take the Plunge

    by Dimitri Sevastopoulo

    For those who have NOT read or read about "Anna Karenina", this film will be a tough slog. I have read Tolstoy's masterpiece and shall read it again, but watching Tom Stoppard and Joe Wright being interviewed by Charlie Rose made this version of the movie a rewarding
    experience. It is bold, risky, exciting, sensual, elegant,dramatic. Keira Knightly is magnificent and Jude Law is brilliant. The novel is 800 pages. This film is two hours. Stoppard has conveyed the fiery passion of Anna and the deep, moral love of her husband. Has pure Tolstoy been compromised? Indeed it has and such is true of not only all other Kareninas but also of most movies based upon books. This film is a work of theater and will be appreciated in time. I shall see it again.

    • 13 out of 21 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Oh No!
    Written December 11, 2012

    Tolstoy slaughtered by High School film class ....

    by kcbk

    Trying to be artistic, this film is just weird. Staged like a Mary Poppins musical but no one sings. Several in our audience just got up and left. I heard a few snores. Costumes were nice. Especially hats. Can't believe this film actually got made. Leo might be laughing from the grave---or crying. Watch grass grow -- cheaper entertainment.

    • 21 out of 37 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written December 2, 2012

    A must see!

    by Sabq

    The hype about the movie didn't disappoint. Excellent acting by all the characters. Of course it is always challenging for a movie to live up to the book, but this was a good adaptation. Not only did I enjoy the movie, but also the AMC courthouse cinema theatre in Arlington with its ever so comfy seats!

    • 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • So-so
    Written November 26, 2012

    Hybrid style fails!

    by frogtwanger

    The play/film fusion was choppy and never grabs you...no willing suspension of disbelief. However the visuals were rich and scene transitions were creative. I usually love period pieces, but this one did not make it.

    • 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No

Anna Karenina (2012) Movie Reviews + Ratings

Fans say

Go
8,339 fan reviews

Critics say

Go See all critic reviews

Tweets About Anna Karenina (2012)

83% positive
Join the conversation

nzuekoh I may be addicted to Anna Karenina. In 24 hours, I've watched it three times already. And Aaron Johnson as Count Vronsky...#icantbreahte

2 hours ago.

JemmaKingPoet Just watched the Keira Knightley version of Anna Karenina. They missed the 'falling in love' part, which is like, a bit crucial.

6 hours ago.

deborahwooduk I was pleasantly surprised by Joe Wright's adaptation of Anna Karenina, despite my initial hostility. Maybe Luhrman will surprise me too...

6 hours ago.

kittypwincess_ just watched Anna Karenina, got to say it's up there with pride and prejudice for my favourite films

7 hours ago.

catherine_yeah Although I loved Gatsby I didn't think it was as pretty and lyrical as Anna Karenina. Maybe that's a biased opinion, um Aaron Taylor Johnson

8 hours ago.

Anna Karenina (2012) Featured Trailers + Video Clips

Watch All Videos

Exclusive Features

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!