This movie does run a bit long, but it allows the main characters to showcase their talents fully. Luckily, their excellent acting keeps the film from feeling dull or dragged out. The first half may be relatively average, playing it safe, but once the external investigation kicks in, it becomes much more captivating, thanks to the adoption of eye-catching filming techniques often seen in genre films.
The story of this 3-hour-long movie is surprisingly simple. The real issue here is the perspective they chose for the screen adaptation. Instead of building suspense, the perspective lays everything out straightforwardly. The way they portrayed Ernest's inner conflicts was far from brilliant, it was honestly frustrating to watch. But I gotta give credit to the cinematography; they did a great job using lighting to show the characters' emotions and physical conditions. And those long shots? They were executed exceptionally well. Oh, and the soundtrack? It's delightful, has this unique local vibe, which complements the plot well.
The film maintains a consistent "blandness" throughout, with a straightforward narration. But oddly enough, that's what lends it a sense of realism, like a genuine historical account. It's likely why the director opted for this no-frills shooting style, keeping it simple and clean without any flashy gimmicks. I'm not too keen on Leonardo DiCaprio's character in this one, but the lead actress truly shines. However, the supporting characters don't leave much of an impact, lacking screen time to develop further.