Movie review: 'Anna Karenina' is looong and boring

Focus Features

The duration just seemed like five hours.  For a while I wondered if I were sitting through a Russian version of GWTW, but where was the intermission? 

Anna Karenina is a ballet in slow motion, with words and exquisite music and breathtaking cinematography (Seamus McGarvey) which moves, nonetheless, at the speed of snow falling.  Had the words been omitted entirely and the producers promoted the movie as an art film, it would cater to the appropriate audience. 

And had I only consulted Rotten Tomatoes first (a 60% favorability rating), but, at least, I still have my life which might have been lost had I dragged my son to see the movie over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Moviegoers: Anna Karenina is a definite "chick flick," however, Gentlemen:  If you're into costuming, jewelry, and millinery, you may dig it.

Yes, the music is fantastic, the presentation is unusual and unique, but that's not why moviegoers pay to see movies. 

Rather than spending money and time seeing this repetitive go-round, you are better off reading Leo Tolstoy's 1877 novel which William Faulkner called "the best ever written," and Fyodor Dostoevsky said was "flawless as a work of art," and/or go see Silver Linings Playbook.  Now, that's a movie with pizazz and sparkle and action (90% favorability rating).

With this said, I would like to propose the following American Academy nominations, please, for Anna Karenina:

Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran

Supporting Actor: Jude Law who, in outstanding delivery, plays the cuckold

Original Score:  Dario Marianelli  

Production Design: Sarah Greenwood

 

Set Decoration:  Katie Spencer

P.S. This is not even worth a rental unless you're into jewelry, millinery, etc.

patricialesli@gmail.com