First-time director Des McAnuff (moving on from theater's Tommy) doesn't train his eye on the charged political environment of the time, instead wallowing in the seamy chambers of Balzac's self-destructive characters. The performances, most especially Lange's devilishly wry delivery, and the lavish cinematography by Andrej Sekula are top shelf -- it's too bad that the vehicle that bears their fruit blossoms with the frivolous frugality of a soap opera.