Examiner par sibisi73

Makk's take on the 27 days Dostoyevsky worked to complete the novel 'Rouletenberg' is a mediocre attempt to inject some kind of passion into a direly dull subject. Themes of obsession and lust are all there bubbling under the surface but we never get under the skin of it, we never really go through the experience with Dostoyevsky, which ultimately means we hardly give a care.

The saving grace in amongst some incredibly earnest, yet unaffecting performances, is Luise Rainer's mesmerising ten, or so, minutes on screen. All wide-eyed and full of charm, she steals the movie,as the Grandmother relishing the chance to play at roulette for the first time. The anticipation, delight, and despair in this brief appearance leave you wanting more. Sadly, there isn't any!

Makk's film looks good, with the requisite period detail, and atmospheric slo-mo, and overlapping repeat shots, but with such a lacklustre story it didn't really ignite any enthusiasm in this viewer.