Anna Karenina | Keira Knightley’s Meltdown at the Horse Races

While watching Count Alexei's (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) horse race, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) shows her true emotions for him while in the presence of her lawful husband Alexei Karenin (Jude Law), ultimately leading her to reveal her secret...

Film Synopsis:
Academy Award® nominee Keira Knightley, Academy Award® nominee Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson dazzle in this stunning new vision of Leo Tolstoy’s epic love story. At the twilight of an empire, Anna Karenina (Knightley), the beautiful high-ranking wife of one of imperial Russia’s most esteemed men (Law), has it all. But when she meets the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky (Taylor-Johnson), there is a mutual spark of instant attraction that cannot be ignored. She’s immediately swept up in a passionate affair that will shock a nation and change the lives of everyone around her. From acclaimed director Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) and Academy Award®-winning writer Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love) comes this visually enchanting masterpiece hailed by critics as “ecstatic” (Time), “rapturous” (MSN Movies) and “a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed!” (The Huffington Post)

#FocusFeatures #AnnaKarenina #HorseRace

[Bluey]

it only just occurred to me that Karenin was trying to cover both their asses when Anna has her breakdown. She, a married woman, just screamed out her lover's first name in panic, in front of everybody - except said lover's first name also happened to be her husband's, so when Karenin says "I'm here" twice while looking at all the watchful gazes, I realize it wasn't Karenin foolishly thinking Anna was genuinely calling his name. He's genuinely trying to downplay the scandal, for better or for worse. Karenin isn't perfect, and Anna doesn't love him which in itself is valid in a society where businesslike marriages are the norm, but he's a lot sharper and cleverer than I gave him credit for when I first watched & read the story.

[elijahsackvilleglücksburg]

one of her very MANY underrated performances. How under appreciated and her talents are under utilized, Keira is a gem.

[occles]

Anna’s reaction to Vronsky’s fall practically told everyone there: “Yes, I’m a married woman and I’m having an affair.” Hence why everyone was looking at her with a mix of bewilderment and harsh judgment. I feel sorry for her poor husband. Love this movie.

[sailorarwen]

Before I watched this film I was under the impression Karenin was supposed to be some horrible person but when I finally watched this I felt terrible for him.

[anastasianastia]

I read an article saying that the the horse ride scene, when Alexei has to kill his beloved horse - was actually the metaphor of how Anna dies as result of their relationship, as she doesn’t handle it.. As Alexei said in the film - it’s either absolute happiness or misery. Win or die, so to speak

[AnteoTesila]

This theater concept blew my mind <3 An underrated piece of art

[thenardiersiblings]

The central theme of Anna Karenina, " he said, "is that a rural life of moral simplicity, despite its monotony, is the preferable personal narrative to a daring life of impulsive passion, which only leads to tragedy."

"That is a very long theme, " the scout said.

"It's a very long book, " Klaus replied.

[zitronentee]

She knew her husband was right there watching her. Yet, she failed to be more subtle.

[priscillajimenez]

She should have realized right there how observant and well thought out her husband is while he lover is impulsive and brute and cruel.

[okidoll]

This is one of my most favorite movies of all time. It's really beautiful. The use of color is amazing from the costumes to the hair color, and having the entire race play out on a stage was really memorable.

[fatimah]

Idk why people are so quick to hate these characters. Yes, they did horrible things. Alexei never should have pursued a married woman, and their love may have been “tainted” as Tolstoy implies, but you can’t tell me he didn’t genuinely love Anna. I can’t forgive Anna for leaving her son, and I do feel bad for Karenin, but I can sympathize with her wanting to experience love from the one man she has been tethered to since she was 18. A lot of you are judging her by 21st century standards which is totally unfair. Anna is passionate and vivacious but her marriage is very one-sided and stale, which leaves her feeling quite lonely. Anyone who has ever felt lonely in their marriage or relationship can empathize with Anna’s desperation. People love to victimize Karenin and while he was a great husband ON PAPER he was a cold fish who only sought to appease the public by creating the semblance of a perfect marriage. Remember, he is on the stage too. He is also an actor putting on a show, just like the rest of the Russian nobility. He does what he thinks he’s supposed to do according to Russian society but that’s not what his family NEEDS and he doesn’t pay any attention to that. They needed love. They needed HIM. I feel like each character has qualities that make them un-likable to some extent or at some point (except maybe Levin, Seryozha and Dolly) but I feel pity for all of them on some level…I think they just wanted us to recognize the humanity in each character because in reality none of us are perfect either.

[billtruttschel]

Keira didn’t melt down, her character did.

[natsanta]

Her reaction at the races was absolutely insane!!!! Poor husband of hers

[melo]

She should have said “I just love that horse too much!” 😅

[yafayafa]

The bastard wanted the horse to get up immediately. If the horse didnt have her back broken, she had to stand up and continue, no matter the other injuries. Anyway, Anna didnt even deserve a man like Karenin, she is like Vronsky, enough irresponsible to ignore her child by going around with a man who will soon neglect her himself. The actress, Keira, performed amazingly this scene.

[purplemesidewaysflute]

You can say whatever you want about how people treated animals differently at the time, but you can tell from the other actors' reactions to him saying get up that it wasn't perceived as a good thing for him to try to do.

[LevinsReview]

My heart with the poor horse, such unbearable cruel of prople!

[wpccpw]

I feel for her so much. If I was a woman in this time period and setting, I would be driven insane too.

[Surahfayed]

Keira Knightley’s stunning performance!

[Yikkoofficial]

Frou Frou is a metaphor for how he eventually will use and discard her as well in the end leading to her ultimate death.