Despite
their track record of outstanding period dramas and the talented cast, BBC's version of
Anna Karenina is a little boring in the first half, and not a whole
lot better in the second. I found myself fast forwarding through parts
that seemed to drag on for no apparent purpose but to fill 4 hours.
First
off, I realize it would be difficult to have everyone speaking with a
Russian accent, but not impossible, is it? Very disconcerting to
my ears, which I consider finely tuned instruments. It can be
comical to hear Roman Centurions say "Allo ladies!" but not if you're
British apparently.
Speaking of British/Romans, Kevin McKidd is miscast as a British/Russian named Count Vronsky, the object of Anna's affection.
Helen McCrory, so good as the wife of Tony Blair and mother of Casanova, plays Anna. If she dyed her
hair red she could also pass for the Count's mother however.
Another
Scottish actor, Douglas Henshall, is Levin, whose love story with Kitty
is given equal time. Come to think of it, he also played a Russian in
Thomas Vinterberg's "It's All About Love", but thankfully Thomas
insisted that the actors at least attempt authentic accents, with
varying degrees of success. If Joaquin Phoenix can do it for Christsakes, I don't understand why this is such an impostion. Anyway, enough of my pet peeve...
Dillane
plays Karenin the Kuckold, but to me he's too youthful looking,
attractive and kind to be her husband. I thought he was also
miscast at first, but how can he be? The man play virtually
anyone, so the problem was this: What woman in her right mind would
leave him for Vorenus? Well, this is how good Dillane is as
an actor - he actually managed to turn me off in a seduction scene.
I mean, my skin was crawling, and I instantly had more sympathy
for Anna. How did he do it? I don't know how he comes up with these
things, I wish I knew. Looking at his hunched-over body as he ever-so-slowly works his way closer to Anna,
silently and almost ..worm-like. Yech! When she removes his hand, he doesn't
seem to care - just looks at watch, bored. If the scene's purpose
is to illustrate what a lousy, passionless lover he is, it worked for me.
Anna's no prize herself, though. When not snapping at her husband for gettin' in the way of her dating life, her mood swings
from weepy to nervous and bitchy. This is before the paranoia sets in.
Biggest understatement:
Karenin: "I sense my presence is disagreeable to you."
"Oh by the way, I'm pregnant with Vorenus's baby."
