Moorhouse's willingness to push the envelope and dive into the darkest aspects of the tale with such macabre relish allows the emotions swirling within this maelstrom to resonate all the deeper.

There's plenty to admire here, especially if your taste is tailored to the unusual.

The Dressmaker's twists are best experienced blind, and its treats are modest but genuine.

Not all of the fits and starts of many, many dalliances of the film end up working, but the presence of Oscar winner Kate Winslet demands attention.