Inventing Anna

 

5                                                                                                                                                 January 2025 

INVENTING ANNA: REVIEW

“This whole story is completely true. Except the parts that are totally made up.” The opening line to this jaw dropping drama. Shonda Rhimes letting viewers know to ‘do their homework’ which won't be easy for the show Inventing Anna. However, anyone who is familiar with the name Anna Delvy or Sorokin most likely already knows that. From designer dresses to orange jumpsuits Anna Delvy wears it all. Netflix’s Inventing Anna brings us through a whirlwind of decades and eras. You may know the producer of Inventing Anna, Shonda Rhimes from her other masterpieces,  Greys Anatomy or How to Get Away with Murder, however Inventing Anna is a high contender for the best.  

When con artist Anna Sorokin, better known by the alias of Anna Delvy, gets caught with stealing millions of dollars from dozens of people, Anna is in deep waters. However when Vivian Kent, a  reporter from Manhattan Magazine wants to write a news article about this grand larceny case Anna jumps at the chance for redemption. When Shonda Rhimes, the producer of Inventing Anna was creating this masterpiece she said “I had a lot of respect for Jessica (Pressler) and her writing.” Jessica Pressler, the American journalist who wrote the article on Sorokin, replies “Is she evil, or is society evil.” Meaning it's quite fascinating how Anna became the way she is because of the way others are. Pressler also states that she feels weird being portrayed in a red carpet TV show. Leaving even the most important people from the story shook from how well its portrayed.

The names of Inventing Anna's stars may sound familiar from other Shondaland productions. Jeff Perry, starring as Lou, has been in Grey's Anatomy playing Thatcher Grey, Along with Kate Burton also starring in Grey's Anatomy playing Ellis Grey. However Julia Garner playing the one and only Anna Delvy as well as Anna Chlumsky starring Vivian Kent did not star in any other shondaland productions. Shonda Rhimes states “the deja vu was intentional.” As exhibited in multiple shows. Shonda Rhimes and her production company Shondaland Media has a track record of using the same actors in lots of their five star productions. 

When Anna has to wear bright orange jumpsuits she fears orange might not be her color but there's nothing a little accessorizing can't fix. Dresses, jumpsuits, skirts, and suits Anna pulls it off. Every outfit in all nine episodes has a million little details. In the iconic opening photo with Anna sitting on her private jet she models a very chic black and white mini dress. Official costume designer of the show Lyn Poalo states “I also love black and white, and people expect me to do a black-and-white costume in every story that I do.” In his interview he also mentioned “Shonda writes these amazing stories about these amazing women who have an amazing fashion sense. So, we’re presenting our version of Anna, but there are so many Annas. The whole story is about how there are all these Annas. At each moment in the story, Anna was different, and you can see that in her fashion choices.” This quote allows viewers the sense of how much the fashion industry really drives the story into perspective. 

In summary, scandal to stars and fashion to homework the hype will not let you down. This five star drama leaves viewers' jaws on the floor (at least mine still is). Rhimes wrote this story to show that even some of the biggest villains are real humans too. The way that this story was produced is true perfection. But who was portrayed in this story, Anna Delvy or Anna Sorokin, well that's for you to decide.  

                                                                                                                                    Sincerely, 

                                                                                                                                            Anna