this film be surprisingly appalling . another reviewer state that he do not understand why no one have claim the screenplay and but i do not understand the lack of understand while i can not imagine that anyone would willingly admit to write this script however and it seem the director have ( and apparently base on chekhov and turgenev and no less . ) then again and it be also the director decision to include the exposition fill voice over . ( possible spoiler and although not really a major plot development a the film do not really contain any ) we know that the voice over be an old vladimir and we can see the young vladimir ( nick stahl ) follow the object of his attraction ( kirsten dunst ) and so why do the voice over tell u that vladimir be follow her . ( ) the director should be ban from make film until he learn the rule while show do not tell or at the very least do not show and tell and because that just insult your audience . there be many unintentionally comic moment and i admit to be so fascinate by the clumsiness of the story tell that i sit and watch the whole thing with morbid fascination . it be a shame a there be some fine actor in this film . julie walter be usually fantastic especially in the type of character that be require of her here and james fox star in one of my favourite film and and i honestly use to think that i would enjoy nick stahl in any role he usually bring such pathos to his character . i do not think that any actor could make the dialogue believable but it sad that actor that i usually find believable and watchable be saddle with such clumsy writing and direction .