I'm finding it difficult to follow what’s happening in terms of the storyline. It revolves around relationships—marriage, romance, longing—and a large number of characters whose lives intersect. Given that this is adapted from a well-known book (or so I believe), there are likely better explanations available than anything I could offer. To be straightforward, I was lost. The film seems to take place primarily in or around a theater, and the scenes shift frequently. While the visuals can be impressive, it's also disorienting. As a historical drama, the production values are clearly high; everything looks wonderful. I acknowledge this effort, but it feels like all of the focus has been on aesthetics. The performances, and the actors themselves, feel appropriate for the setting—as if they were actually performing onstage, which is fitting to some degree. Honestly, I would have preferred to experience this as a live stage production rather than in film format. The narrative gets overwhelmed by the elaborate costumes, vibrant colors, artificial trains, and theatrical sets. Ultimately, a compelling story matters most of all. A strong narrative doesn't need to be intricate—consider *Locke*, which explores similar themes with remarkable simplicity. What was missing here was an emphasis on storytelling; it seemed they were more interested in showcasing elaborate costumes, beautiful scenery, and exaggerated acting. I would have avoided this film entirely if I’d had any sense of what it was like.

Source on TMDB