Inventing Anna

Inventing Anna is a captivating Netflix miniseries from 2022, directed by the acclaimed David Fincher; it's a story shrouded in intrigue, ambition, and manipulation. The show, centred around the enigmatic figure of Anna Sorokin (aka Anna Delvey), is portrayed exquisitely by the brilliant Julia Garner, while former "Veep" star Anna Chlumsky plays the driven journalist determined to unravel her story.

The show is based on real events, inspired by the 2018 New York Magazine article "How Anna Delvey Tricked New York's Party People" that chronicled the life of the so-called socialite and her audacious behavior that took New York high society by storm. However, Inventing Anna is not a simple retelling of the story - it investigates the complexities that led to Anna’s transformation, adding layers to the narrative, and making it into a thought-provoking exploration of themes such as identity, deception, wealth, and aspiration.

In the series, we find Julia Garner fully-immersed in the role of Anna Delvey, a Russian-born, German-raised, wannabe socialite who fascinated and bamboozled the who's who of New York's social scene. What makes Garner's performance stand out is her ability to grapple with the enigma that is Anna, making her feel at once sympathetic, complex and confounding. She convincingly portrays a woman desperate to maintain an illusion at all costs, with her conviction and charisma serving to make the character all the more arresting.

Alongside her, Anna Chlumsky brings her own unique dimension portraying Vivian Kent, an ambitious news magazine reporter striving to balance her career and family life, while simultaneously being drawn into Delvey’s whirlwind. Played by Chlumsky with a potent blend of ambition and uncertainty, Vivian becomes the audience's anchor, guiding us through the intricate labyrinth that Anna has built.

However, Inventing Anna isn’t only about the lead duo – it encompasses an extensive ensemble cast which includes Katie Lowes, Alexis Floyd, Arian Moayed, Anders Holm, Anna Deavere Smith, and Jeff Perry, each with their own subplot and perspective on the unfolding events, thereby enriching the narrative tapestry.

The series dissects not just Anna’s audacious 'grift', but also the world that made her possible. It questions the values of a society where people are often judged by what they seem to have, rather than who they truly are. It is an indictment of appearances, of the value placed on outward prosperity and the easy acceptance of wealth, no matter how earned. The obliviousness of New York's high society towards Anna's fraud offers a critique of our own perceptions and preconceived assumptions regarding wealth and status.

Inventing Anna often takes the viewers on a thrilling ride with Anna's daring escapades, seamlessly intertwining these moments with insightful reflections on the society we live in. The storytelling is bold, engaging and fast-paced, filled with both expected and unexpected twists and turns. Real-life news footage, media interviews and other documented accounts of the real Anna Sorokin are expertly woven into the narrative to enhance the sense of realism.

The production values match the high stakes and glamour of Anna's world with top-notch cinematography that captures the glitz of New York's high society and the darker hues of Anna's personal life. The artistic selection of modernist architecture as the backdrop works effectively to convey an ambience of wealth and sophistication, which subtly reinforces the illusion that Anna created.

David Fincher’s direction ensures that the story is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and he masterfully balances the lighter and darker aspects of the narrative. The mystery of who Anna is and what she represents constantly keeps the viewers engaged. His deep connection to the material is evident throughout the series, highlighting the obsession and ambition that drive his characters.

Over its run, Inventing Anna proves to be more than just a series about a clever charlatan, it becomes a commentary on the way our society views wealth, identity, and the lengths some will go to maintain an illusion. Its intricate narrative, coupled with power-packed performances, and Fincher's masterful direction, make it a must-watch thriller filled with glamour, thrill and intriguing insights into the human psyche.