Joe Wright takes on Leo Tolstoy's epic novel in a supposedly scaled down non-accented version. The tale centers around Anna Karenina, a wealthy Russian socialite who abandons her marriage for another man and the tragic repercussions which follow, to take a rather complicated story and condense it to a few words. This will be Wright's third outing with star Keira Knightley, who played his Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, as well as appear in the BP Oscar-nominated Atonement. Their first collaboration resulted in an AMPAS nod for Knightley, and considering the prospects of their latest endeavor, she currently sits atop my list of most likely-to-be-nominated for Best Actress this year. What other categories could this film score in?[Pictures via Pride & Prejudice 2005]
I haven't read the novel yet, so I don't know which other roles might qualify for consideration. The supporting cast is steller (and includes some actors from previous Wright productions): Jude Law, Aaron Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Olivia Williams, Emily Watson, Matthew Macfadyen, and Holliday Grainger. Tom Stoppard adapted Leo Tolstoy's epic novel. He scored an Oscar for writing Shakespeare in Love, and a nomination for Brazil. The playwright was also responsible for Empire of the Sun and adapting his Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead for the big screen. Producer Tim Bevan has worked on United 93, Elizabeth, Atonement, Tinker Tailor, Frost/Nixon, Pride & Prejudice, Love Actually, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Senna, as well as with the Coen brothers. His list of upcoming credits include The History Keepers, I Give It a Year, About Time, Untitled International Suspense Thriller, Bridget Jone's Baby, Les Misérables, and Hippie Hippie Shake. Also producing are Alexander Dostal and Alexandra Ferguson (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Film Editor Melanie Oliver is from television.
Let's keep in mind that none of the previous incarnations of Karenina have landed any Oscar nods. However, based on anticipation and previous track records of Wright productions, nominations for Actress, Art Direction, Costume Design, and Score, seem almost inevitable. Best case scenario would also include Picture, Screenplay, Cinematography, and Director, amongst perhaps a couple of others. Wright filmed his movie last Fall in Russia and England. Focus Features has scheduled release for the 9th of November.
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