The film’s recognition during awards season largely focused on Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s adaptation of her own novel, as the rest of it proved to be a rather detached narrative about youthful antics within the British Raj, which didn't particularly resonate with me. The story follows "Anne" (Julie Christie) as she looks into events from the 1920s involving her spirited great-aunt "Olive" (Greta Scacchi). Olive had just joined her new husband, "Douglas" (Christopher Cazenove), and quickly found herself absorbed in the privileged colonial society, socializing with both the British elite and the local Nawab (Shashi Kapoor), who skillfully manipulates situations to his advantage. Throughout, there’s a sense of instability as bandits roam the countryside and resentment toward the British simmers just beneath the surface. As "Anne" uncovers more about her relative, she starts questioning aspects of her own existence—and these uncertainties prompt her to reconsider her identity. While visually appealing, the film lacks any real emotional investment in its characters. Even the intimate scenes feel oddly detached. I felt Christie was better suited for roles that were more grounded and raw, and with the possible exception of Susan Fleetwood’s "Mrs. Crawford," most of the performers seemed too at ease portraying their assigned personalities; they appeared to genuinely embody these frivolous, privileged, unfaithful people—and I found that rather tedious. There's a lot of visual grit, but it's missing an underlying intensity. See if you agree....

Source on TMDB