Much of the dialogue in Vita and Virginia is scooped directly from love letters exchanged between the writers - which, unfortunately, makes for a rather cumbersome screenplay.

It's not as bold as that trio, but it's elevated by some adroit dialogue and knockout performances from Gemma Arterton as Vita Sackville-West, and Elizabeth Debicki as Virginia Woolf.

Maybe dramatizing their correspondence would have worked if it had been paired with convincing dialogue.

“Vita & Virginia” is a sumptuous, early twentieth century period film in terms of costume design, sets, production values and casting.