I first saw anna towards the end when i was home from school sick. I could not take my eyes off the television and was spellbound. i did not even know what the movie was called and I caught only the last half hour but I went out the next day and rented it and ended up with a 7 day late charge. It was so deeply moving and beautiful. I was mesmerized. The only flaw in this film was the weak link named mia kirschner, but it can be forgiven because marceau and beans performances were absolutely stunning. I have cried my heart dry watching this film every time and i watch it once a week at least. Bean is brilliant throughout but he is incredible at the end talking to tolstoy in the train about going off to die. he is so restrained and holding pain within and trying to hold up some sort of front that is strong and it is made so clear to the audience exactly what he is going through. both actors go through great transformations from beginning to end. the dazzling socialite and the handsome virile soldier who become shells of those former selves drowning into madness and grief. Perhaps the two most poignant parts for me are the scene of anna playing with the doll and the smile on her face just as she falls onto the train tracks. Sorrowfully beautiful,utterly romantic, and tragic. One of my all time favorite movies.
Review of Anna Karenina
