I've just seen this film on TV. Didn't even notice when this film hit theater. However, it went with different title - Knyazhka Maeri.
Based on Russian classic novel, the film doesn't go beyond it. It follows our Hero, Pechorin, traveling south, stuck in the middle of love and passion, and finally found mental test of his honor with close friend. Featuring beautiful scenario of Russian Caucasus, the film has no trouble depicting lives in the army and romance of our Hero and his lovers in 19th century. It's a pity that the duel and battle scenes don't carry the power that could have pushed this film beyond standard of Russian period series on TV.
The actors give their solid performance. Petrenko did his best like in other period drama, like in "Voditel' dlya Very" - a man with painful past and complex character. The rest of the cast doesn't stand out over him, since the film didn't give a chance.
