Last night I saw the newest film version of Leo Tolstoy’s
Anna Karenina. Loved it! I loved it so
much that I went to my favorite bookstore for used books, Last Word Bookshop,
and I got my copy of Tolstoy’s epic story. The number of pages seems a bit daunting,
but I am determined after seeing this film. I will also take a couple of
Russian Literature courses at school.
Visually the film is a nonstop feast for your eyes. What had
me sitting on the edge of my seat was nothing scary. It was how the director Joe
Wright presented this story. It was
presented not as a play, but it is told from a stage, in the most original,
imaginative, and surreal and bold way.
Another great discovery for me is playwright Tom Stoppard
who wrote the screenplay for Wright’s Anna Karenina. Playwright Tony Kushner visited my school
this past semester and shared his insights on the craft of playwriting. I had previously seen his Angels in America . Consequently, I was excited to see
Spielberg’s Lincoln
film, because Mr. Kushner was the screenwriter. It has been a new and interesting journey
meeting all kinds of writers and studying their work and seeing the creative
ways in which they present their work to the public.
Tom Stoppard and Joe Wright are now at the top of my list for
delivering on the wonder and delight.
You have to experience how this story is told.
My mom was constantly whispering historical commentary in my
ear throughout the film, which, I will admit, made me more excited about
reading and discovering more of Tolstoy.
A few years ago, I participated in The Great Books Summer
Program at Amherst
College
Last
Word Bookshop
Address: 220 South 40th
Street , Philadelphia ,
PA 19104
Phone:(215) 386-7750
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