Sunday, July 4, 2010

Anna Karenina, 2000, Masterpiece Theater (Grade B)

Director: David Blair
Cast: Helen McCrory; Kevin McKidd; Douglas Henshall; Mark Strong; Amanda Root; Paul Rhys; Paloma Baeza; Abigail Cruttendenl Sara Kestelman

sez says: We have watched every version of Anna Karenina  that we can locate to see how the way the story is told changes over time.  This version is well done and has wonderful production values The sets and costumes are marvelous.  It is possibly the strongest we have seen in depicting the emotional aspects of the characters. Part of that is the good acting--but part of it is focus. The DRAMA of the story is the story here. I rather doubt that is what Tolstoy had in mind. He being interested in bigger issues like God and the Social Order--these are woven into this version, but not at the central story. Via camera angle and wobbly cameras (to show a character's disorientation) --and intense close-ups we are invited to experience the feelings of our cast of characters.  An acceptable approach I guess.  But explorations of the characters beliefs, motivations, moral codes in conflict, are of more interest to me. But still well done. (Grade B)