CriticSociety- film reviews

Review

Anna Karenina

Director

Clarence Brown

Year

1935

Rating

Reviewed by

Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho

Review date

Monday, January 27, 2003

Anna Karenina (Greta Garbo), the respected wife of a government bureaucrat (Basil Rathbone), finds complete disorder in her life when dashing Count Vronsky (Fredric March) comes into her life. A respected member of the militia, fancied by many women, Vronsky falls hopelessly in love with Anna, and makes it his goal in life to make her his own; is she capable of facing society as an adulterous woman, leaving her adoring son (Freddie Bartholomew) behind? Even Vronsky faces the fact and speaks to her about how their relationship is doomed from the very beginning.

Gorgeous adaptation of the classic novel by Leo Tolstoy, with amazing cast and production design. While the novel truly deepens in the customs of 19th century Russia, as well as the society in general, the film centers in the relationship of the lovers only, which is a necessary sacrifice due to its short running time compared to the overlength of the novel. However, the movie works incredibly, with the few bits of Russian tradition in banquets and balls real pleasant, plus absorbing drama and romance. Anna’s dilemma is transmitted intact to the viewer, as is the dead-end feeling she faces. Garbo expresses joy and sadness inimitably as expected. If her husky voice and secure manners sort of oppose the fragility of Tolstoy’s character, that doesn’t mean she plays the role wrong: instead, she makes it her own, making of such a classic tale a vehicle for herself, which works just fine.

March, Bartholomew and especially Rathbone bring great support. Maureen O’Sullivan, adorable as always, plays Kitty, the woman who loved Vronsky; she’s so lovely, that it’s nearly impossible to believe that Vronsky actually ignores her for another woman. The other suitor she has, Levin (Gyles Isham), is a character Tolstoy allegedly based on himself.

One of Garbo’s gems, highly recommendable.

Gon C Curiel en Twitter | CriticSociety en Twitter | CriticSociety en Facebook

Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter