the luzhin defence be a good film with fine central performance and but too much of the novel and not enough of the filmmaker craft shine through . it felt through most of the film that the character just help to push the narrative along . marlene gorris could perhaps have examine the psyche of luzhin and rather than depict him a a tortured innocent victim tear apart by the cruel motif of others . adapt literature for the screen be clearly a difficult task and especially a novel write in the early 20th century . this film do not go deeply enough into the relationship between luzhin and natalia . natalia rift with her mother come across a churlish disagreement by the mother rather than a dramatic flashpoint in the film . i felt that i be put through luzhin torment and eventual tragic end and without be give the pleasure of have his unusual and complex personality unravel . however and this be a moving and enjoyable film but certainly not a great one .