Anna 2014

In 1874, Imperial Russia was at its zenith, and in Moscow, Prince Stepan “Stiva” Oblonsky’s (Matthew Macfadyen) life began to unravel like a thread pulled from a tapestry. His wife, Princess Daria “Dolly” (Kelly Macdonald), caught Stiva in a compromising position with the governess of their five children, an infidelity that would have far-reaching consequences. As tears streamed down her face, Dolly banished Stiva from the family home, issuing a stern ultimatum: never again would he be allowed to set foot within its walls or gaze upon his children.

Meanwhile, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley), Stiva’s sister and a renowned socialite in St. Petersburg, embarked on a journey to Moscow at her brother’s behest. Her husband, the esteemed Russian statesman Alexi Karenin (Jude Law), had granted her permission to depart, but with a warning: do not meddle in the affairs of others. Ignoring this sage advice, Anna set out to convince Dolly to forgive Stiva, leaving behind her son Serozha, who yearned for his mother’s return.

As Anna arrived in Moscow, she was met by her brother and his friend Konstantin Dimitrivich Levin (Domhnall Gleeson), a reclusive landowner with little taste for city life. Levin confided in Stiva about his love for Katerina “Kitty” Alexandrovna Shcherbatsky (Alicia Vikander), Stiva’s sister-in-law, and Stiva urged him to propose. However, Kitty remained elusive, her heart seemingly set on marrying the wealthy Count Alexi Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).

Anna’s journey took a dramatic turn when she met Countess Vronskaya (Olivia Williams), notorious throughout Russia for her scandalous behavior. As she traveled by train to Moscow, Levin returned to his country estate in Pokrovskoe, where he was counseled by his elder brother Nikolai (David Wilmot) to take a peasant wife.

In Moscow, Anna’s path crossed with Vronsky’s, and an instant attraction sparked between them. As they prepared to depart, tragedy struck: a railroad worker met his untimely demise beneath the train tracks. Moved by Anna’s empathy, Vronsky resolved to provide financial support to the deceased man’s family, a gesture that would leave a lasting impression on both Anna and himself.

As the night unfolds at the lavish ball, Dolly’s plea for Anna to take Stiva back is met with a resounding yes, setting in motion a chain of events that will forever alter the lives of those involved. Amidst the whirlwind of aristocratic revelry, Kitty shines like a beacon, her radiant beauty captivating the attention of numerous high-society gentlemen and officers. However, as she attempts to dance with Vronsky, he instead chooses to lavish his attention on Anna, much to Kitty’s dismay. The tension between them is palpable, and Anna, sensing that she has unwittingly upstaged her friend, decides to make a hasty exit from the ball, leaving behind whispers of gossip and speculation.

As Anna returns to St. Petersburg, Vronsky follows, his desire to be near her consuming him utterly. His friends, including Princess Betsy Tverskaya (Ruth Wilson), a mutual acquaintance of Anna’s, notice his growing obsession with the enigmatic socialite. Despite Anna’s initial reluctance to acknowledge their attraction, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Vronsky, much to the chagrin of her high-society acquaintances. A lavish party hosted by Betsy serves as the backdrop for Vronsky’s grand gestures, which only serve to further fuel the growing rumors surrounding their tumultuous relationship.

As Karenin’s suspicions grow, he advises Anna to put an end to the whispers, but she refuses to be swayed, choosing instead to confront her desires head-on. The tension between Vronsky and Anna reaches a boiling point at a hotel, where they finally give in to their deep-seated attraction.

Meanwhile, Levin, still reeling from the heartbreak of Kitty’s rejection by Vronsky, has reached a crossroads. He confides in his brother that he has given up on love, opting instead to focus on building a life rooted in authenticity and simplicity. His decision to take one of his workers’ daughters as his wife serves as a testament to his newfound commitment to a more humble existence.

As whispers of infidelity reach his ears, Karenin (character) orchestrates a surprise visit to his country estate, where he hopes to catch his wife and her paramour in the act. Meanwhile, Anna reveals to Vronsky that she is carrying his child and fervently expresses her desire to be with him alone, forever severing ties with her husband. Upon returning to her rural retreat, Anna encounters Karenin, who extends an invitation to join him for a night of horse racing at the estate, surrounded by the crème de la crème of Russian society. As they mingle among the elite, Countess Vronskaya’s gaze lingers on Anna with disdain, instead bestowing attention upon the youthful Princess Sorokina (Cara Delevingne).

As the evening unfolds, Karenin becomes increasingly aware of Anna’s erratic behavior whenever Vronsky is racing. Her emotions finally boil over when his horse suffers a devastating injury, prompting an impassioned outburst that inadvertently broadcasts her feelings for Vronsky to the assembled masses.

Upon their return home, Anna confesses to Karenin that she has indeed been intimate with Vronsky and now seeks a divorce. However, due to Russia’s rigid social norms and the draconian consequences of such a union – including public humiliation and potential loss of child custody – Karenin refuses her request, instead opting to confine her to their estate for appearances’ sake. Vronsky demands a divorce, and Anna, acknowledging the daunting challenges ahead, vows that they will find a way to overcome them.

In a separate development, Levin (character) is tilling his fields when he spots Kitty’s carriage making its way across the landscape. This chance encounter prompts him to hasten back to Moscow, where he implores Stiva to facilitate his marriage proposal. Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, Anna – now visibly pregnant – receives Vronsky at her estate and berates him for not visiting her sooner. Vronsky responds that duty as an officer has kept him occupied, a response that only serves to enrage Anna further.

As tensions simmer just below the surface, Karenin returns home to discover that Vronsky has been secretly visiting Anna, despite being forbidden from setting foot in their estate or even approaching his wife.

As Karenin’s gaze falls upon a cache of love letters on Anna’s desk, his world is shattered by the revelation of her infidelity. Seizing this newfound knowledge as justification, he decrees that their marriage is at an end, and he will retain custody of their son, while banishing Anna from their shared life. Her pleas to spare their child fall on deaf ears, as Karenin’s rage and indignation propel him forward, unyielding in his decision.

Meanwhile, the threads of fate converge at the Oblonsky estate, where Levin and Kitty reunite for a dinner that will change the course of their lives. The arrival of Karenin brings news of his impending divorce from Anna, an announcement met with dismay by Stiva and Dolly. As the evening wears on, Anna’s desperate entreaties to forgive her fall on unsympathetic ears, despite the evident depth of Karenin’s emotional attachment.

In a stunning reversal of fortune, Karenin receives word that Anna has gone into premature labor and is perilously close to death. His initial response is one of callous disregard, as he tears apart the messenger’s note and returns home. However, as Anna’s life slips away, Karenin beholds a changed woman – one who has found solace in prayer and acknowledged her transgressions before the divine. Vronsky stands by her side, bearing witness to her final moments, as Anna once more denounces him, insisting that he could never measure up to the paragon of virtue that is Karenin.

As Anna’s spirit departs this earth, Karenin is left grappling with the weight of his own actions. The anguish of his treatment of Anna now keenly felt, he begs for her forgiveness, and in a poignant display of remorse, she grants it to him. In the aftermath of this cathartic moment, Karenin finds himself drawn to the innocent Anya, Anna’s newborn daughter, whom he cradles and guards with an unwavering devotion.

The following day brings a visit from Princess Betsy, who shares with Anna her concerns regarding Vronsky’s future, now that he has departed St. Petersburg for Moscow. As Karenin stands watchfully in the doorway, Anna invites him to join their conversation, subsequently entrusting Princess Betsy with the story she has shared – a testament to the enduring power of love and redemption in the face of human imperfection.

As Karenin (played by) bursts into the scene, Anna is overcome with emotion, tears streaming down her face as she vents her frustration at the cruel fate that has befallen her. She laments the fact that she had wished for death instead of being forced to live with the painful memories of Vronsky and the constant reminder of their ill-fated love affair, which now seems to have spawned a new life in the form of their illegitimate daughter, Anya. Karenin’s attempts at reassurance only fall on deaf ears as Anna’s mind remains fixated on her lost love, refusing to entertain the possibility of happiness with him.

Meanwhile, back in the countryside, Levin and his new wife Kitty (played by) have returned to their estate, where they are greeted with open arms by the servants and attendees who are enchanted by the young couple’s joy and devotion. However, their bliss is short-lived as news arrives that Nikolai and his wife Masha are seeking solitude at the estate due to Nikolai’s illness, which may soon claim his life. Levin confides in Kitty about his brother’s condition and his wife’s desperation, but instead of alarm or outrage, Kitty displays a remarkable sense of compassion and duty, urging that her husband’s family join them at the estate so she can nurse Nikolai back to health.

As the news spreads like wildfire through St. Petersburg, Countess Lydia becomes aware of Anna’s return with Vronsky (played by). In an attempt to mediate the situation, Anna writes the countess, pleading for help in securing a meeting with her son Serozha on his birthday. Moved by her words, Anna wakes her young son and professes her love for him, acknowledging that she was wrong to abandon him and seeking forgiveness. However, she also implores him to learn to appreciate their father, Karenin (played by), who is a good and kind person, despite his many shortcomings.

As the tension between Anna and Karenin reaches a boiling point, Anna slips away unnoticed, making her way back to Vronsky’s hotel room, where they can continue their illicit affair.

As Vronksy’s tardiness breeds suspicion in Anna’s mind, she summons the courage to defy societal expectations by attending a lavish Opera performance, unapologetically flaunting her controversial affair with Vronsky. Despite her bold declaration of independence, Anna is met with scorn and ridicule from the opera-goers, who can’t help but snicker at her audacity. The evening’s events take a turn for the worse when a disgruntled patron launches a verbal attack on Anna, drawing the attention of the entire opera house - including Vronsky himself. Crushed by the cruel taunts and public humiliation, Anna retreats to the comfort of her hotel room, where she weeps uncontrollably.

The next day, Anna’s social isolation is palpable as she’s shunned by society women at a local eatery. However, her friend Dolly’s visit brings some solace, sharing news of Kitty’s pregnancy and Stiva’s unwavering commitment to his wife. As Anna arrives back at the hotel, Vronsky is engrossed in a mysterious letter, which he hastily conceals upon her approach. Anna makes it clear she has no intention of pursuing divorce or separation from Vronsky, instead choosing to follow him wherever he goes. But when Princess Sorokina arrives to whisk Vronsky away to meet with his mother, Anna’s grip on reality begins to slip.

As the train chugs along its route, Anna’s thoughts turn to her children and the memories she shares with Karenin. In a state of growing desperation, she becomes convinced that Vronsky is having an affair with Princess Sorokina - a vision fueled by the lingering effects of laudanum. At the last station before their destination, Anna cries out in anguish, “God forgive me!” and leaps onto the train tracks, confronting the oncoming locomotive head-on.

As Levin’s astonishment at Kitty’s selfless nature slowly gives way to profound insight, he comes to realize that even the most seemingly fleeting emotions can evolve into a deeper, more abiding love. The realization is not unlike a gentle dawn breaking on the horizon, illuminating the path ahead and imbuing his entire being with a sense of gratitude and wonder. He begins to see the universe as a tapestry woven by a divine hand, with every thread and fiber intertwined in a beautiful tapestry that has brought him Kitty and their precious son.

Upon his return home, Levin is greeted by the soothing sight of Kitty gently bathing their newborn child in the rain-soaked atmosphere. His eyes welling up with emotion, he confides to her that he has recently experienced a profound epiphany. Though he refrains from sharing its details, the weight of his words hangs in the air like a tantalizing whisper, hinting at a deeper understanding that will unfold in due time.

In the midst of this joyous tableau, Oblonsky and his family join Levin and Kitty for an evening meal, their laughter and conversation mingling with the warm glow of the setting sun. As Oblonsky excuses himself to take a solitary stroll outside, the weight of his weary gaze seems to hint at a deeper turmoil, as if he is grappling with the ghosts of his past or perhaps finding solace in the prospect of leaving his old life behind.

Meanwhile, Karenin appears to have transcended the burdens of public duty, his eyes shining with a quiet contentment. The fields surrounding Levin’s estate are alive with the simple joys of childhood, as Serozha and Anya frolic among the daisies, their laughter and giggles weaving a tapestry of innocence and happiness that is nothing short of enchanting.