Anna Karenina 2012

The film opens in 1874, during the peak of Imperial Russia, starting at the home of Prince Stepan “Stiva” Oblonsky, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen, in Moscow. Stiva’s wife, Princess Daria “Dolly” (played by Kelly Macdonald), discovers Stiva in a compromising situation with their governess, leading to a heart-wrenching confrontation. Dolly, filled with despair, expels Stiva from their home and forbids him to see her or their five children again.

Meanwhile, Stiva’s sister, Anna Karenina, brilliantly brought to life by Keira Knightley, embarks on a journey to Moscow. Anna, a renowned socialite and the wife of a prominent Russian statesman, Alexi Karenin (played by Jude Law), arrives at her brother’s plea to mend his fractured marriage with Dolly. Though Karenin allows Anna to travel, he cautions her against meddling in the affairs of others.

As the story unfolds, Anna encounters Stiva’s friend, Konstantin Levin (played by Domhnall Gleeson), a wealthy landowner who struggles with his identity amidst Moscow’s elite. Levin professes his love for Stiva’s sister-in-law, Katerina “Kitty” Alexandrovna Shcherbatsky, portrayed by Alicia Vikander, yet she initially rejects him, secretly yearning for the affluent Count Alexi Vronsky (played by Aaron Johnson).

On a train to Moscow, Anna meets Vronsky’s mother, Countess Vronskaya, notorious for her amorous escapades. As Levin grapples with feelings of inadequacy in society, Anna and Vronsky’s paths cross, sparking an intense and immediate attraction. An unfortunate accident engulfs the train station in chaos, yet Vronsky endeavors to impress Anna by donating funds to the deceased man’s family.

In a dramatic turn of events, Anna manages to persuade Dolly to reconcile with Stiva. That night at a lavish ball, Kitty shines while Vronsky’s attention shifts towards Anna, creating an unspoken rivalry. Feeling guilty for drawing attention away from Kitty, Anna chooses to leave the festivities, only to be pursued by Vronsky, who adamantly declares his desire to be with her.

As their affair blossoms in St. Petersburg, Anna finds herself at the center of societal murmurs, grappling with her feelings and the repercussions of her choices. Vronsky’s constant presence heightens Anna’s internal conflict, ultimately leading her to a fateful decision amidst Russian aristocracy’s harsh scrutiny.

The story takes a darker turn when Anna confides in Vronsky about an unexpected pregnancy and their clear love for each other. Yet tension escalates as her husband, Karenin, confronts the reality of Anna’s infidelity and considers divorce, a move fraught with social stigma and family repercussions.

As events spiral out of control, Levin, determined to win Kitty’s heart, remains true to his steadfast love for her, while Anna descends deeper into turmoil caused by betrayal, societal rejection, and impossible choices.

The climax of Anna and Vronsky’s relationship unfolds against a backdrop of heart-wrenching revelations, ultimately leading Anna to a tragic and irreversible decision as she contemplates her future on the train tracks, leaving behind the life she once knew.

In the end, Levin, transformed by love and the bonds of family, finds himself standing in the rain, enveloped in reflections of joy and sorrow as he embraces the life he treasures with Kitty and their newborn child. The narrative encapsulates profound themes of love, societal expectations, and the inexorable burdens of choices made, as families come together, and hearts mourn those lost.