The movie, which gradually slows to a crawl, could have used a little galvanism itself.

The movie is still well executed but, at two hours, not even Fanning's persuasive performance can elevate it to being more than a moderately interesting historical drama.

If it falls short of its ambitions, you have to love that it tries to go for the big story, and that it gives Elle Fanning such a grand role at her tender age.

Fanning does an admirable job as the author, but I think that she had more to give than what was demanded. When an actor was on her level and gave her something to work with, she got interesting.