★★☆☆☆ All the pieces seemed to be in place for Liv Ullmann's take on Miss Julie (2014), Swedish playwright August Strindberg's examination of class and sexual politics set in the waning years of the 19th century. A pedigree director in the form of Ullmann, a powerful pair of leads take the shape of Jessica Chastain and Colin Farrell and a sumptuous, sprawling countryside estate in Victorian-era Ireland as the setting should all, in theory, create a lovely piece of cinema. Unfortunately, there's something too jarring about what unfolds over two very long hours. Rife with mawkish histrionics and a thoroughly overwrought script, it's hard to maintain interest in what should be an intriguing watch.

It's Midsummer's Eve in Ireland circa 1890 and all is quiet - for now. In a very large and very empty manor, only three souls scurry around in the oppressive solitude: Miss Julie (Chastain), Jean (Farrell) and...