Comment on the technical features in the opening of Anna Karenina?

In the opening of Anna Karenina it plays dated style music which sets the century of what the film may be dated in which is the 1700's. It also has the house style the typical Russian music. So already we know the story is based in Russia and is a period piece. The opening action shots are played out like a theatre production, with different rooms being changed by a simple change of background. This can be interpreted in two ways, the story line is focused around theatre or it relates it the fact it was a book which then turned into a play and is now a film, but it is the latter.

As the opening progresses we are greeted by one of the male characters in the film as he sits down to have a shave. The way he is shaving is displayed is unusual and more theatrical. The barber has a red cloth which he waves around like he is a Spanish bull fighter before skillfully shaving his masters stubble in less than 10 seconds. The shot is close up on the characters face highlighting his interesting features. This could mean he is a master with high stature and importance. This is also shown by his clothing and his high level of tidiness and hygiene. We get the impression the main characters are not paupers but aristocrats. 

We are then introduced to Keira Knightley's character who is being dressed by her maid while reading a letter. Their is a extreme close up on her ring as it is fitted to emphasis the fact she is married. Once again she shows a upper class status and a possible link to the previous character. When she is fully dressed she is followed by the camera with a tracking shot and the scenery changes as if it was a play. It follows her suggesting she is the main character and because of her interaction with her husband and son the first part of the plot line is put into place. Her husband is shown as the head of the household which is a dominant 

When she says goodbye to her son their shadows are revealing their hiding places which could mean there are secrets yet to come.