Anna Katerina: Analytical Critique, Research Paper Example

Analytical Critique of Anna Karenina: Difference or Similarity between the Book and the Movie

In the book Anna Karenina, the importance that Tolstoy places on the characters and the details is apparent. The book contains approximately one hundred and forty characters. Tolstoy directed the focus of the movie on the surroundings and the characters. The behaviors of the characters were applied by Tolstoy in order to illustrate the primary subjects of the novel. In the novel, Tolstoy desire is realism. The subject of the novel is adultery and romantic relationships. The characters that are applied in the novel provide a realistic representation to the story line. In the cinematic version, the characters are not delegated the realism that Tolstoy delegates in the novel.

The most apparent quality of the characters is that they may appear in the book for brief interludes, they manifest a perception of realism. As Tolstoy introduces each of the characters in the novel, the details with regards to the physical aspects are provided. This is the quality that Tolstoy wanted to emphasize in the novel. In the novel, the waiter who served Levin and Stiva has a realism that provides a more complete context to the story. The patterns of speech that are applied by the waiter in order to provide the details of his attire causes the reader to perceive that the waiter’s contribution to the story line is greater than that of a minor character. The waiter’s actions and his details provide the reader with a perception of realism.

Another feature that was applied by Tolstoy in the novel is the unpredictability of the characters. This trait is evident in the role of Ryabinin. Notwithstanding, upon the transaction of the land deal, Ryabinin does not end the sentence with those upbeat utterances. These utterances would be the qualities applied by a minor character in the novel such as Ryabinin.

Nevertheless, Tolstoy’s desire is to aggregate the realism of the minor characters which enables their behavior to be perceive as the primary round characters. The detail that Tolstoy provides to the characters delegates realism to the characters in the novel. One of the characters who Tolstoy used to portray the greatest sense of realism is Konstantin.  In the novel, the reader is attracted and engaged in the events that take place in Levin’s life and his reactions. Tolstoy developed Levin in a way which provides a perception of realism and roundness. In his search for the significance in life, Levin becomes a pragmatist. This is the effect that Tolstoy strove for in the composition of Anna Karenina. The development of Levin’s’ experience in the novel is compared to the stagnation that is experienced by Anna Karenina in the novel. Anna becomes obsessed with Count Vronsky. Anna Karenina was attracted to Count Vronksy due to his social status.

The cinema version of Anna Karenina was a very engaging movie to watch. The director placed a greater emphasis on Levin than on Anna Karenina. In the book, Levin is given more emphasis. In the movie, Anna Karenina becomes the center protagonist. The movie does not engage the viewer with the details of Russian life as the novel. The primary distinction of the novel and the cinematic production is that the cinematic version was established with a stage as a backdrop.

The scenery was composed of flat pointed pictures that were placed against the backdrop of the stage. There were scenes where the characters were on the upper floors which were above the stage with lights and ropes. The train station where a disillusioned Anna Karenina commits suicide is one of the scenes shot in the upper deck. The application of the upper space as train station was innovative. The constricted paths served as the entryway to board the passenger train. The voids that were between the constructed paths were applied to demonstrate where the trains would dock with the platform upon stopping. In addition to the theater serving as the setting for the cinematic version of Anna Karenina, the interludes of the scenes demonstrated the actors changing their attire for portrayal of a new character while the camera was directed on the primary actor. It is difficult for the average person to understand the movie scenario is taking place in a theater.

The collection of characters in the cinematic version is interesting. The collection of characters in the cinematic version of Anna Karenina is not as extensive as the book. One of the characters whose demeanor was unanticipated is Count Vronsky. Count Vronsky was shown as a young man who appeared almost adolescent in his nature. This was awkward due to the book version of Anna Karenina demonstrating Count Vronsky as a military person who was always pressed for time due to his engagements. In addition, in the cinematic version of Anna Karenina, the viewer is left in awe with regards to the premise that an adolescent could cause the mature Anna Karenina to become enamored. The thespian that portrayed the part of Stiva also appeared awkward in comparison to the novel. This was difficult to find convincing due to the realism that was demonstrated by Tolstoy in the novel. Perhaps the actor who represented Stiva was placed in for the sake of levity.

The final scene where Anna takes her life is demonstrated to have less dramatic impact in the cinematic version than in the novel. Subsequent to Anna taking her own life, the thespians are demonstrated with their sentiments.  Once again the characters did not have the sense of realism that was manifested in the novel written by Tolstoy. One of the parts of the cinematic version of Anna Karenina that was found to be enjoyable was when Levin and kitty were entertaining themselves after dining by playing with blocks. This was the first time that they had been viewed in conjunction since the failure of their romantic suggestion. The manner by which the two engaged in the roles caused the anxiety of their romance to appear real. This anxiety appeared to be attributed to the premise if their romance was genuine. The cinematic scene appeared to be very passionate. The skit initiates with the couple attempting to ascertain the meaning of the letters. Consequently, the message conveyed on the blocks details that they have romantic interests in one another. The playfulness of the romance between Kitty and Levin is actually shown due to the quality of the couple appearing to be children who are playing with building blocks.

 Conclusion

The movie Anna Karenina was acceptable as a cinematic production. The movie was a disappointment in comparison to the novel. The book is much more interesting than the cinematic version. The cinematic version demonstrated the characters as flat and lifeless.

References

Tolstoy, L. (2011) Anna Karenina. United Holdings Group.

Wright, J. (2012) Anna Karenina. Shepperton Studios.